Forward Air Controller: O-2A Under Heavy Ground Fire in Southeast Asia

Published May 18, 2015

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DAYTON, Ohio - "Forward Air Controller: O-2A Under Heavy Ground Fire in Southeast Asia" by Andrew Whyte, on display in the Southeast Asia War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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This painting, by Andrew Whyte, depicts the museum's Cessna O-2A Skymaster (serial number 67-21331) on a forward air control (FAC) mission during the Southeast Asia War. To avoid being located, the enemy normally did not fire on FAC aircraft, but once discovered, they shot at the FAC with everything they had. Here, the FAC pilot has opened a dangerous "hornets' nest" of enemy antiaircraft fire.

Col. Charles "Toby" P. Rushforth III (USAF, Ret.) donated this painting to the museum in 2007.

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Forward Air Controller: O-2A Under Heavy Ground Fire in Southeast Asia