Cal Fire’s OV-10A Bronco Air Attack 310 circles above the Casino Fire, Monday, July 13, in Anza. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo
High above the smoke column emitted by the Casino Fire, a lone aircraft orbited tirelessly, twin turboprop engines droning a welcome tune. Firefighting aircraft swarmed in a well-planned ballet in the air beneath it.Cal Fire’s OV-10A Bronco Air Attack 310 directed resources to battle the fire Monday, July 13. Air tankers and helitack forces were guided as they dropped Phos-Chek and water on the inferno.Manufactured by North American Rockwell in Columbus, Ohio, the aircraft was originally built for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and served from 1968-1993. OV-10A aircraft were used as counterinsurgency aircraft and close air support for military ground forces.In 1993, the aircrat were acquired from the Department of Defense and converted for use as air attack planes. These airc
