"Strike Into the Heart of the Taliban" James Dietz Artist Proof Print

Description: 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. "Strike Into the Heart of the Taliban" James Dietz Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Artist Proof Print On December 22, 2009, the "STRIKE" Brigade received orders to spearhead the new surge of forces into the southern region of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault - Combined Task Force (CTF) STRIKE deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) X-XI from 10 May 2010 to 30 May 2011, as the main effort brigade of the President's "surge" force in Afghanistan. CTF STRIKE conducted a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy in Arghandab, Zharay, Maiwand, and Panjwai'i Districts, Kandahar Province, to defeat the insurgency and improve the security situation in the "militant birthplace of the Taliban." CTF STRIKE simultaneously developed and enabled the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and district governance to assume control in the region. During the year-long deployment in Southern Afghanistan, STRIKE defeated the Taliban in these critical districts and established over 29 combined Coalition and ANSF bases in Taliban contested areas. The STRIKE Brigade, partnered with the 3rd Brigade, 205th Corps Afghan National Army, built key governmental infrastructure including schools, roads, medical clinics, canals, and irrigation systems that improved the quality of life of the Afghan people. Combined Task Force STRIKE extended governance into previously inaccessible areas establishing district administration, health and educational services, and providing the people of Kandahar Province a voice in their government. During the deployment, Combined Task Force STRIKE was comprised of 17 American, NATO, and Afghan Battalions, and it effectively reduced violence along major civilian supply routes by attacking the insurgency deep in historic enemy-held terrain. Combined Task Force STRIKE employed innovative techniques to breach and bypass insurgent IED minefields with the use of mine clearing line charges (MCLCs), anti-personnel obstacle breaching systems (APOBS), precision strike capabilities, and tactical explosive detection dog teams (TEDDs). STRIKE's use of persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms prevented the reemergence of the Taliban in the critical terrain. The actions of CTF STRIKE resulted in the significant reduction of Taliban influence where hostile activity the area of operations dropped significantly and allowed for greater engagement of the population by ANSF and local government leaders. Success in Kandahar Province provided the Afghan people the choice to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the opportunity for peace and prosperity in the future. CTF STRIKE's deployment in Afghanistan saw the award of a Distinguished Service Cross, 5 Silver Stars, 38 Bronze Star Medals with Valor, 111 Army Commendation Medals with Valor, and 491 Purple Hearts. CTF STRIKE executed more than 7 major operations during which 65 STRIKE Soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice. In recognition of their efforts under extreme combat situations, the STRIKE Brigade Combat Team was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for OPERATION DRAGON STRIKE and operations in Kandahar, as well as a Valorous Unit Award for the deployment. 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, an Air Assault field artillery battalion serving as a provisional infantry battalion (Combined Task Force TOP GUNS), received the Presidential Unit Citation for their actions from 13 July 2010 to 15 September 2010 to remove Taliban insurgents and unify the Arghandab District, Kandahar Province. 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry Battalion, Combined Task Force TALON, received the Valorous Unit Award for their actions to remove hardened Taliban fighters and supporters in eastern Zharay District from September to November 2010. "I am a STRIKE Soldier: I fight where told, and win where I fight!" This 25" by 16.5" image size print, 31" by 23" overall, limited to 100, is signed by the artist. This print is also available in the following formats: Publisher Proof (limited to 250) - $175 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. If the Limited Edition is 400 s/n, there would be 20 - 40 APs. 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 current as to inventory, seller reserves the right to cancel a sale if item is no longer available at time of purchase. Be sure to visit our eBay Store for hundreds of great items Visit Our eBay Store: Airplanes and more For shipping outside the USA, including Alaska and Hawaii, buyer will pay actual shipping costs. Please e-mail with request and location and we will respond with required cost. All payments must be made in US dollars and if paying through Paypal, currency conversion will apply.

Price: 225 USD

Location: Flower Mound, Texas

End Time: 2025-01-24T00:46:23.000Z

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