Artist visits base, documents Air Force Reserve missions

  • Published
  • By Jake Shaw
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD ARB, Fla. --  A member of the Air Force Artist Program visited Homestead Air Reserve Base June 8-12 to learn about the Air Force Reserve and produce paintings to illustrate the Air Force Reserve's role in the total force.

Mr. Robert G. Steele, a painter and illustrator, was chosen from more than 1,600 civilian artists who volunteer their time and skills, traveling to Air Force locations worldwide to document Air Force people, planes and activities as part of the Air Force Artist Program. Their paintings are generally donated to the Secretary of the Air Force for display at the Pentagon and other locations.

Mr. Steele traveled to Homestead at the invitation of Lt. Gen. John Bradley, Chief of the Air Force Reserve and Commander of Air Force Reserve Command.

During the visit Mr. Steele visited Airmen at all areas of Homestead Air Reserve Base to capture the busy nature of a reserve unit during their monthly weekend training assembly. He also gained some creative insight about the jobs Airmen perform here and he received mission briefings to teach him about the Air Force Reserve before flying backseat in an F-16 fighter jet with Col. Randall G. Falcon, commander of the 482nd Fighter Wing.

In a conversation with the artist, Colonel Falcon told Mr. Steele how the Air Force Reserve contributes to the total force composition of the military. Mr. Steele learned that the Air Force Reserve performs the same missions as their active duty counterparts for a fraction of the cost.

"We hope to show Mr. Steele what's unique about the Air Force Reserve and Homestead Air Reserve Base," said the colonel when asked about the purpose for the artist's visit. The reserve is a smart organization that provides 20 percent of the Air Force's total mission capability using just four percent of the total Air Force budget, he added.

Mr. Steele says learned a lot during his visit, but he is not sure why he was chosen for the honor.

"There are a lot of artists who may be more deserving of an opportunity like this," he said. But Mr. Steele says he'll do his best to produce paintings that will be show and accurate vision of the Air Force Reserve and the 482nd Fighter Wing.

Mr. Steele says he plans to paint several paintings depicting the Air Force Reserve and Homestead Air Reserve Base, and he hopes to have something completed by mid-summer.

To view Mr. Steele's previous work and to learn more about the Air Force Artist Program, visit http://www.afapo.hq.af.mil/Presentation/Content/aboutArt.cfm