Wyoming Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Jon Alderman, 06MAY2019.
A California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (Cal Fire, formerly CDF) Bronco flies at tree top level during Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) training and recertification at Grand Canyon Hills, Colorado, 06MAY2019.
2019 Cal-Fire video report, upgraded OV-10:
https://www.facebook.com/CALFIRE/videos/493842311191325/
An OV-10A uses smoke to ‘lead-in’ the water bombers. Cal-Fire photo.
The OV-10, and other small aircraft, serve as forward air controllers (FAC) for the larger water bombers, picking out the next target and guiding the water bombing in.
Cal-Fire photo.
23JUL2021, Action News Now report (note the reporter uses the incorrect word ‘aircrafts’ while the Cal-Fire official uses the correct word ‘aircraft’) on how smoke from fires can actually ground aircraft:
In 1993, Cal-Fire bought 15 ex-Marines OV-10As (with three blade propellers). They replaced the older O-2As. In 2009, Cal-Fire bought three OV-10Ds (with four blade props and short ‘A’ model nose). OV-10As and OV-10Ds are slowly being upgraded to meet Cal-Fire requirements.
2010 Cal-Fire video report, the Gov’na authorizes more of everything for fighting future fires, plus a new GPS flight tracking system will be used:
In 2015, a prop failure on an Cal-Fire OV-10A grounded the OV-10 fleet.
Children get to check out an upgraded OV-10, during the Grass Valley Air Attack Base open house, 20JUL2019. Cal-Fire photo.
Amentum upgraded OV-10, photo via Amentum/Mike McKeig.
By March 2021, Cal-Fire’s upgraded OV-10 fleet had reached 16 aircraft; 15 former OV-10As and one former OV-10D. The upgrade project is handled by Amentum-DynCorp International.
May 2021, San Bernardino International Airport video of upgraded OV-10:
The old O-2, photo via California Fire Pilots Association (CFPA).
CDF OV-10A, photo via CFPA.
CDF OV-10A, photo via CFPA/K. E. Pack.
California Fire Pilots Association
OV-10A front seat, photo via CFPA/K. E. Pack.
Click here for official Cal-Fire Aircraft Recognition Guide for 2019.
U.S. Wildfire 2021:
WASHINGTON MILITIA DEPLOYS!
Disaster 2021:
VERMONT & CONNECTICUT VALKYRIE FIGHT FIRES IN KOSOVO!
Idaho Wildfires 2019: MD-87 WATER BOMBER & NEW KING AIR F-A-C