James Dietz
The growing popularity of aviation art has brought before the public eye the works of a number of professional aviation artists. Among these one artist stands out for his unique approach to this genre. "The people, settings, and costumes are what make aviation history exciting and romantic to me." It is this feeling that makes James Dietz, and his artwork, so different from that of his contemporaries. Rather than simply illustrate aviation hardware, Dietz prefers to portray human involvement.
After graduation from Art Center College of Design in 1969, Jim began a successful career as a commercial illustrator in Los Angeles. The subject matter varied from automobiles to action scenes to romantic book covers. A steady flow of work from New York enabled the Dietz' to move to Seattle in 1978. It was at this time that he took his first concrete steps toward fulfilling his dream to specialize in aviation art, at that time an almost unheard of genre. Since then, aviation art has played an increasingly large part in his career. Jim Dietz's clients include Boeing, Bell Helicopter, Allison, and Flying Tigers, to name just a few.
Jim has also branched out into the fine arts field with his aviation art. A strong following has developed for his originals and a growing number of limited edition prints have introduced Jim's name to print collectors worldwide. Four of Jim's originals were put on display in the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Naval Aviation; one of the paintings was presented by the Navy League to then Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman. A regular contributor to the Air Force Art Program, Jim's work has been featured on the cover of AIR FORCE magazine.
Jim Dietz has been honored with several gold medals from the Los Angeles Society of Illustrators and has won Best in Show in three successive years in the EAA Aviation Art Show. In 1988, at the second American Society of Aviation Artists forum, Jim was awarded the "People's Choice Award" for his painting selected by forum attendees. Major showings of Dietz's originals have recently been held at the EAA Museum and the San Diego Air Museum. His work is found in a number of private and corporate collections.
James Dietz Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Print "Launch, Recover, Launch"
Launch, Recover, Launch Task Force XII and Task Force 49 in OIF 07-09 "The Second Helicopter War"
When MG James E. Simmons, Deputy Commanding General of Multi-National Corps Iraq, referred to Operation Iraqi Freedom as “the second helicopter war,” he made reference both to the distinguished heritage of Army Aviation stretching back to the first helicopter war, Vietnam, and to the incredible contributions of Army Aviation to the counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq. Army Aviation has become more indispensable in each succeeding year of this conflict; Task Force XII and Task Force 49 have added unprecedented achievements to that record in OIF 07-09.
The first 12th CAB unit in Iraq was the 2-159th "Gunslinger" Attack Reconnaissance Battalion from Illesheim, Germany. On 30 June 2008 they made first contact with the enemy near Ramadi. The “Professionals” of the 412th Aviation Support Battalion deployed next and accomplished air and ground maintenance and logistical support for the task force. The 3-158th Assault Helicopter Battalion from Katterbach, organized as Task Force Storm, arrived in July and began air assault support for Special Operations missions. The "Storm Riders" were joined in their mission by Company B, “Big Windy,” 5-158th General Support Aviation Battalion. Task Force Ready, made up of the remainder of Katterbach’s 5-158th GSAB, took on general support missions, moving Soldiers and cargo throughout the theater. They also took on the VIP mission in Iraq, allowing senior leaders to move quickly and safely throughout their operational areas. Joining the 12th CAB at Balad was the 2-147th “Dust Devil” Assault Helicopter Battalion. These National Guard Soldiers came from Minnesota,Washington and Hawaii, and joined Task Force Ready in general support missions around Iraq. Completing Task Force XII at Balad in November 2007 were the Soldiers and fixed-wing aircraft from Task Force Hawk, 244th Aviation Brigade. A combination of National Guard and Reserve Soldiers, they flew the Army’s only non-reconnaissance fixed wing aircraft in Iraq.
In November 2007, Task Force XII received a change of mission. The Brigade Headquarters and 3-158th AHB moved to Camp Taji, Iraq to form an aviation task force in support of Multi-National Division – Baghdad. Just before Thanksgiving, Soldiers from Fort Wainwright, Alaska’s Task Force 49 arrived and assumed the mission as the headquarters for the five battalions at Balad. Task Force XII and 3-158th arrived at Camp Taji in December and joined the 4th “Longknife” Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Hood, Texas. 4/3 ACR proved a perfect fit for the newly-formed task force. They provided aviation maintenance and AH-64 attack capabilities for the division, and also brought a troop of Black Hawk helicopters which joined with Task Force Storm to perform air assault and general support missions for MND-B. Task Force XII also formed a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle company at Taji. Comprised of Soldiers from throughout the brigade and UAV operators from six of MND-B’s brigade combat teams, Company G, Task Force XII ran the largest UAV operation in Iraq.
In addition to forming the task force for MND-B, Task Force XII deployed aviation packages to support Coalition forces in central and southern Iraq. Indeed, the Gunslingers and Dust Devils spent much of the 07-09 deployment split across two or three separate operating locations. During a spike in violence in late March, 2008, Gunslinger, Storm, Dust Devil, Big Windy and Longknife aviators distinguished themselves by responding heroically to aggressive enemy attacks in Basrah and Baghdad. The pilots flew hundreds of hours across Iraq and recorded dozens of successful engagements in a three week period of intense combat. Their actions were cited as helping to bring about a quick and decisive end to daily indirect fire and force on force attacks. With a final mission change in July 2008, TF XII returned to the MNC-I mission at Balad, while 4/3 ACR and TF Storm moved to Baghdad International Airport to assume the mission for MND-Center under TF 49.
Over the course of their deployment to Iraq, the Soldiers of Task Force XII and Task Force 49 set the standard for aviation support in theater. OIF 07-09 was a key period of transition, as an increase in ground combat forces reduced violence to historic low levels, setting the conditions for political reconciliation. Units at Balad, Taji, BIAP, and Basrah combined to fly more than 110,000 hours, moving more than 272,500 passengers and almost 18 million pounds of cargo, and engaging the enemy on over two hundred separate occasions. Launch, Recover, Launch depicts a routine moment during the brigade’s five hundred days of flying and fighting in Iraq. Along Alpha Taxiway at Balad, a UH-60 "mission set," two Blackhawks and their crews, prepares to launch. The crew members of Chalk One inspect their aircraft, their equipment, and each other to ensure that all is ready. A group of Soldiers load equipment while crew members conduct a final mission briefing. In the background, a CH-47 Chinook stands ready to launch after sunset on a critical resupply or air assault mission. Overhead, a Gunslinger Air Weapons Team leaves Balad on a mission in support of ground forces somewhere in Iraq. Ground support personnel move about the ramp, refueling aircraft and conducting maintenance services. This seemingly mundane but incredibly complex scene encapsulates the daily contributions of over four thousand Soldiers, of all ranks and occupational specialties, to the incredible achievements of Task Force XII and Task Force 49.
25" by 12.5" image size, 31" by 19" overall print - limited to 250 - signed by the artist - $175
This print is also available as:
Artist Proof (Limited to 100) - $200
All Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered (S/N) by the artist. Limited Edition prints are restricted to a certain number. For example, if 400 prints are made from an original painting, once they’re gone, that’s it. There is no limit to the number of open edition prints of a particular painting. That’s why Limited Edition prints are more expensive — and more valuable to collectors — than "open" edition. Rare objects are more valuable.
An Artist’s Proof (AP), generally, is the first 5% - 10% of the Limited Edition prints that come off the press. This status is noted on the print. Collectors prefer APs because their value increases even more than a Limited Edition as time goes by.
All Limited Edition artwork is subject to availability at time of order. Although seller strives to remain currrent as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase.
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