Da Nang AB
2nd Air Force Inspector
General's office
Awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross
March 16, 1970
On March 16, 1970, SSgt William K. Kastner, a security policeman
assigned to the 2nd Air Force Inspector General's office, was an intelligence
observer on an 0-2B aircraft near Da Nang AB, Vietnam, when the aircraft
was hit by ground fire. Although seriously wounded, SSgt Kastner
continued to relay vital intelligence data to friendly forces. He received
the Distinguished
Flying Cross and a second Air Medal for his actions."1
 The 0-2
was an all metal, four seat business aircraft designed by Cessna to
be easy to fly, low in cost,
yet still offer the safety and comfort of a twin engine plane. Equipped
as forward air control aircraft in Vietnam, Skymasters were used for
reconnaissance, target identification, damage assessment and air to
ground coordination. Some aircraft were even equipped with three 600
Watt amplified speakers and leaflet pods for psychological warfare operations.
The 0-2 had dual controls and could carry many types of light weapons
including rockets, flares, bombs and miniguns. The O-2 can fly on either
engine by itself and is still popular today among private pilots. Only
31 O-2B's were ordered from Cessna by the U.S. Air Force.
1. Source:http://afsf.lackland.af.mil/Heritage/History/heritage_museum.htm
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