Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Cessna O-2A "Skymaster"
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024
1. Cessna O-2A "Skymaster" Marker
Length: 29 Feet, 2 Inches
Height: 9 Feet, 5 Inches
Wingspan: 38 Feet
Maximum Weight: 4,900 Lbs
Cruising Speed: 144 MPH
Maximum Speed: 199 MPH
Ceiling: 19,300 Feet
Distinguished by twin tail booms and tandem-mounted engines, the O-2 features a tractor-pusher propeller arrangement. The Air Force selected the O-2 to supplement the O-1 "Bird Dog" Forward Air Controller (FAC) aircraft then operating in Southeast Asia. Having twin engines enabled the O-2 to absorb more ground fire and still return safely, endearing it to its crews.
Two O-2 series aircraft were produced: the O-2A and O-2B. The O-2A was equipped with wing pylons to carry phosphorous rockets, flares, and other ordnance. In the Forward Air Controller (FAC) role the O-2A was used for identifying and marking enemy targets with smoke rockets, coordinating air strikes and reporting target damage. The O-2B was a psychological warfare aircraft equipped with loudspeakers and leaflet dispensers. It
this page online
Erected by Eielson Air Force Base.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold • War, Vietnam. A significant historical year for this entry is 1967.
Location. 64° 41.49′ N, 147° 6.023′ W. Memorial is in Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, in Fairbanks North Star Borough. It is on Central Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Markers and aircraft are in Heritage Park. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Eielson AFB AK 99702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in the Alaska Railroad Corridor, in the Athabascan Region, and in Interior Alaska. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Col Carl Ben Eielson (within shouting distance of this marker); War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Ben Eielson Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Heritage Park Pavilion (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairchild-Republic A-10A "Thunderbolt II" (within shouting distance of this marker); Heritage Park / Eielson Global Engagement (within shouting distance of this marker); POW-MIA Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Roy L. Hursey Gate (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eielson Air Force Base.
More about this memorial. An acceptable ID is required to enter this active military base.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024
2. Cessna O-2A "Skymaster" Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024
3. Cessna O-2A "Skymaster" Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024
4. Cessna O-2A "Skymaster" Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 16, 2024
5. Cessna O-2A "Skymaster"
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 6, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
