At low altitude over the jungles of Vietnam, a small twin-engine aircraft circled patiently — marking targets, coordinating airstrikes, and serving as the eyes of the battlefield. That aircraft was the Cessna O-2 Skymaster. The men who flew it were Forward Air Controllers, and their mission demanded a combination of courage and precision that few assignments in any war have ever required.
The Skymaster Warbird Memorial Foundation exists to make sure that mission — and the men who flew it — are never forgotten.
Who We Are
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Melrose, Florida, founded by Franklin D. Fields, Jr. and Tyson Banks. Our board includes veterans, aviators, and preservation advocates united by a single purpose: acquire, restore, and display the historic O-2 Skymaster so that future generations can see and understand what these aircraft — and the men who flew them — accomplished.
The Aircraft
The Cessna O-2 Skymaster was the Vietnam-era successor to the O-1 Bird Dog, chosen for its centerline-thrust twin-engine configuration, which gave FAC pilots a fighting chance if they took ground fire. Armed with white phosphorus rocket pods to mark targets and equipped with radios to coordinate with strike aircraft, the O-2 flew thousands of sorties at treetop altitude over enemy-held territory. The O-2B variant was configured for psychological operations, broadcasting surrender appeals from loudspeakers and dispensing leaflets over the jungle below.
These are not glamorous aircraft by fighter pilot standards. They are slow, ungainly, and conspicuous. That is precisely what made the men who flew them remarkable.
What We’re Building
Our restoration projects are underway. We are also building a Memorial Wall of Honor dedicated to the FAC pilots and crews who gave their lives or were taken prisoner flying these missions. And through this blog, we will share the stories that history books have largely overlooked — pilot interviews, restoration updates, and the ongoing work of keeping this legacy in the public eye.
If you flew the O-2, knew someone who did, or simply believe these stories deserve to be told, we want to hear from you. Reach us at info@skymasterwarbird.org.