Carenado Cessna 337 CalFire

CAL FIRE acquired 20 O-2As in 1974-1975 from the Department of Defense. They were converted for use as air attack planes, and 13 O-2s went into service during the 1976 Fire Season. The O-2 served the Department for more than 20 years before being replaceed with the larger and faster OV-10A. CAL FIRE used the O-2s as command and control aircraft on wildland fires. The crew provided tactical coordination with the incident commander on the ground, providing information on the movement and spread of the fire. The crew then directed CAL FIRE airtankers and helicopter pilots on where to make their retardant and water drops. This mission is now filled by the OV-10A.