Aviation-Guide - Flipbook - Page 6
OV‑10A “Bronco”
I
S P E C I F I C AT
ONS:
Original Owner
United States Navy/Marines, 1968-1993. The OV-10 was
used as a counterinsurgency aircraft and close air-support to
military ground forces.
Acquired by CAL FIRE
Cruise Speed:
258 mph
Gallon Capacity:
Air Tactical Aircraft
not applicable
Manufacturer
North American-Rockwell,
Columbus, Ohio.
Crew
Pilot and observer (Chief
Officer or Fire Captain).
In 1993, CAL FIRE acquired 15 OV-10As from the Federal
Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program. These have since
been converted for use as air attack platforms replacing the
original Cessna 0-2As that CAL FIRE had been using. The
OV-10As are newer, larger, faster, provide a larger field
of vision for the pilot and air attack officer and are more
maneuverable than the older O-2As. In 2009, CAL FIRE also
acquired three OV-10Ds, of which one has been converted
and is in use.
Mission
CAL FIRE uses the OV-10s as the primary command and
control platform on wildland incidents. The air attack officer,
a highly trained and experienced fire officer, coordinates with
the incident commander on the ground, providing an unique
aerial perspective on fire conditions, anticipated resource
needs and potential threats to life and property.
The Air Attack Officer is also responsible for the safe
coordination of all aerial resources on an incident and where
to make retardant and water drops based upon the Incident
Commander’s control objectives. The OV-10 can be utilized
as a lead plane, for Very Large Air Tankers (VLAT) when not
assigned as a command and control platform.
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