Monday, September 6, 2010

North American-Rockwell OV-10 F Bronco, TNI AU
The North American Aviation Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter insurgency (COIN) combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control (FAC) aircraft. It can carry up to three tons of external munitions, and loiter for three or more hours.
Indonesia purchased 12 OV-10F aircraft and operates them in COIN operations similar to the US Navy's Vietnam missions with their Broncos, but have retrofitted .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning heavy machine guns in place of the light .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns. These aircraft were vital in the invasion of East Timor and ensuing COIN operations. In 1977, they were also used during the aerial bombardments of Amungme villages near Freeport-McMoRan area of operations, West Papua, in respons to OPM attacks on the mining company facilities, and of Dani villages in Baliem Valley, also in West Papua, in respons to mass protest against enforced participation of the Indonesian general election. (Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Rockwell_OV-10_Bronco)

Pole aircraft location: Jombang, East Java, Indonesia