The OV-10 served in the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as in the service of a number of other countries. A total of 81 0V-10 Broncos were ultimately lost during the course of the Vietnam War, to all causes: USAF - 64, USN - seven, and the USMC - ten.

USMC

It was first acquired by the U.S. Marine Corps. Each of the Marine Corps' two observation squadrons had 18 aircraft, nine OV-10As and nine OV-10Ds night observation aircraft. There was also a Marine Air Reserve squadron. The OV-10 was phased out of the Marine Corps in 1995.

The U.S. Marine Corps OV-10 Night Observation Gunship (NOGS) program modified four OV-10As to include a turreted forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor and turreted M197 20 mm gun slaved to the FLIR aimpoint. NOGS succeeded in Vietnam, but funds to convert more aircraft were not approved. NOGS evolved into the NOS OV-10D, which included a laser designator, but no gun. The U.S. Marine Corps lost ten OV-10's during the war, to all causes.

Operation as forward air controllers in the U.S. Marines continued through July 1994, when the Broncos were decommissioned in large part to two Broncos being shot down during Operation Desert Storm due to a lack of effective infrared countermeasures equipment. Forward air control passed mostly to ground units with laser designators and digital radios (GFACs) and the F/A-18D (two-seat) Hornet. Most operational U.S. Broncos were reassigned to civil governments in the U.S. Some were sold to other countries.

USAF

The USAF acquired the Bronco primarily as a FAC aircraft. The first USAF OV-10As for combat arrived in Vietnam on 31 July 1968. At least 157 OV-10As were delivered to the USAF before production ended in April 1969. The USAF lost 64 OV-10 Broncos during the war, to all causes.

In 1971, the 23d Tactical Air Support Squadron's Broncos at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base received PAVE NAIL modifications. NAIL was the radio handle of this squadron. PAVE was a pod manufactured by Loral Aerospace, mounted under the fuselage, containing a gyro-stabilized optics system. In the back of the aircraft was a Loran-C navigational radio with integrated electronics. PAVE NAIL illuminated targets for laser-guided precision bombs and used the laser/loran system to find downed aircrews. The program was very successful, but all this equipment was removed before the aircraft left South East Asia.

USN

The U.S. Navy formed VAL-4 on 3 January 1969, and operated in Vietnam from April 1969 through April 1972. The Navy used the Bronco OV-10A as a light ground attack aircraft, for interdiction of enemy logistics, and fire-support of Marines, SEALs and river boats. It succeeded in this role. The US Navy lost seven OV-10s during the Vietnam War, to all causes.

International Use

Colombia

In 1991, the USAF provided the Colombian Air Force with 12 OV-10A aircraft. Later, three ex-USMC -A models were also acquired to provide parts support. Colombia still operates the aircraft in a COIN role against an active insurgency, and at least one aircraft has been lost in combat. Currently the U.S.State Dept. in conjunction with the Colombian government operates at least 4 OV-10's. One has been outfitted with spray equipment to spray poppy fields, one has munitions, and two are used for observation.

Indonesia 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-calibre (12.7 mm) Browning heavy machine guns in place of the light 7.62 mm (.30 calibre) machine guns. These aircraft were vital in the invasion of East Timor and ensuing COIN operations.

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