Air Force Art Program visits RAFs Mildenhall, Lakenheath

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Petosky
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Phil Weisgerber and Harley Copic tell the Air Force story through the universal language of art -- both men have been contributing original works to the Air Force Art Program for decades.

The artists arrived in the U.K. July 13 as part of a tour of both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath to capture imagery with which to translate to canvas later in the year.

They are each volunteers with their own motivations for painting iconic portraits, equipment or moments in time and donating the pieces to the Air Force collection for posterity.

"A lot of people don't know the collection even exists," Mr. Weisgerber said. "There are 10,000 pieces of art by some of the best artists in the world, spanning more than 50 years of Air Force history. It's a priceless collection, and it's permanent."

Mr. Weisgerber, a professional artist for Northrop Grumman from Redondo Beach, Calif., has been a part of the program since 1982. He specializes in painting satellites and has contributed 10 original works to the Air Force collection. Gauche paint, a type of opaque water color that can be difficult to work with, is his medium of choice, although he uses acrylics and oil paints as well.

"When I was younger, no one ever told me that my arithmetic was very good, but they did say, 'Phil, that painting is really nice.' I've been painting ever since," Mr. Weisgerber said. "Now, I get to meet a lot of other artists and do things that a civilian wouldn't normally be privy to."

Harley Copic, a retired graphic designer from Toledo, Ohio, has donated more than 30 pieces to the Air Force collection since 1971. He has been painting, primarily with oils, for more than 50 years. Mr. Copic has two sons who are both in the Air National guard. He said he loves World War II history, and is particularly fascinated with aircraft that flew out of England. The Air Force Art Program gives him the perfect outlet to do what he loves most - paint aircraft.

"I have the luxury of being retired now," he said. "I've done 10 paintings this year alone. Everyone has to have a hobby.

"I'm fortunate enough to have an Air National Guard unit in Toledo, so anytime they have a good trip, I try to go with them. It was a real thrill for me last year - the adjutant general approved a trip to Iraq, and I got to see both my kids while they were deployed there.

"I'm prejudiced because of my sons, but I have nothing but admiration for folks who dedicate their lives to defending our country," Mr. Copic said. "I know it sounds corny, but I can't tell you what an honor it is."

The Air Force collection is almost continuously on public display at places like the Air Force Academy, the Pentagon, major command headquarters and even the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. There are more than 150 active artists volunteering for the program, and up to 300 new pieces donated every two years, according to Gregory Thompson, Art Manager for the last 12 years. Some notable past contributors include Walt Disney and Warner Brothers, and several foreign contributors have works on display as well.