Cessna O-2 Skymaster “Oscar Deuce”: A Humble Vietnam Vet

The Cessna O-2 Skymaster, aka “Oscar Deuce” or “the Duck,” was adopted by the US Air Force at the height of the War in Vietnam. For the next several years these small aircraft flew thousands of missions in the observer, forward air control (FAC) and psychological operations (PSYOPS) roles. Operating over and behind enemy lines, these humble-looking airplanes took at least just as serious risks as their larger and faster jet-powered colleagues.