WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND COUNTRY   THE ARTIST - 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 "Bridges of Freedom"   This is a new release from James Dietz  

April 4th – 5th, 2003, saw elements of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 325 Airborne Infantry Regiment link up and begin their liberation of the town of As Samawah, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The liberation of As Samawah was a unique step in support of OIF because As Samawah was largely considered to be Sunni-controlled, and therefore more supportive of Saddam Hussein.

The early morning hours of darkness found the town and specific areas targeted with mortar and artillery fire. The preparatory fires continued during the first hours of daylight with more support from Bradley infantry vehicles, Abrams tanks and Kiowa Warrior Helicopters. During this time, Task Force Falcon began their initial sweep through the town, painstakingly clearing every room and every building and flushing out the insurgents. Contact with the enemy was sporadic and light until mid-morning, when the situation drastically changed.

After a night and morning of fighting, TF Falcon had moved into position along Highway 8 to seize the bridge there that had been deemed critical in cutting off a northern supply route to Baghdad. The bridge was in poor shape after a night of shelling, and it seemed dubious the bridge would be serviceable and taken intact. Initial probes to the bridge realized the true strength of the enemy; they had dug in and were entrenched in buildings and defensive positions across the river, wholly intent on keeping the bridge under their control. What began as light fire, fully escalated into a major battle. The fighting was so intense that medical helicopters could not land safely in the area to evacuate the wounded. After nearly four hours of fighting, Falcon Paratroopers were crossing the bridge when they encountered a truck full of propane tanks driven by two men bearing down on them in a suicide run. Paratroopers from D/2-325 AIR fired on the truck, striking the propane tanks, causing it to explode. One the city’s westernmost bridges, C/2-325 AIR had a similar encounter with a taxi on a suicide run.

Five hours after TF Falcon’s initial contact at the bridges, As Samawah was considered to be under US control by MG Charles Swannick, the 82nd Airborne Division Commander. He praised the effort of the Falcon Paratroopers as playing the crucial part in the liberation of As Samawah.

The painting “Bridges of Freedom” captures the spirit of TF Falcon in their quest to take the bridges during the liberation of As Samawah. Elements of TF Falcon are depicted in the painting during the initial stages of the battle.

The officers and soldiers of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment commemorate this painting to all members of the Regiment – past, present and future. The courage and determination displayed by the paratroopers of the 325 AIR serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifices of the past and our continued service in the future. 

 

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