News
Angie is going to do a painting about the Idaho National Guard 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team. This new painting will be representative of the men, equipment, and operations of the 116th over the last 20+ years.
Idaho National Guard, March 8, 2017, Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho
Idaho 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team
Maj. Harper with Angie Okamoto-Ong and Lt. Gulich.
In
March 2017, the Idaho National Guard 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team took Angie and her crew of photographers on the firing range with their M1A1 tanks.
These reference photos will be used in the making of the new painting.
More to Follow.......
Angie Presents Paintings to Idaho Army National Guard
Maj. Gen. Lafrenz with Angie Okamoto-Ong and two IANG members holding the two new paintings.
Troops of the Idaho Army National Guard present for the presentation of the paintings. They were very patient.
In August 2004, Angie presented her two newest military paintings to the Idaho Army National Guard - The AH-64A Apache and the UH-60A Blackhawk. Maj. Gen. Lafrenz accepted the paintings on behalf of the IANG and its people. Of course, these paintings are of and for the personnel, the military men and women who are working so hard and sacrificing so much for us, for this country and for people of other countries overseas, for freedom. Thank you, Maj. Gen. Lafrenz and Maj. Gen. (Ret) Kane for your support in getting these paintings made.
Maj. Gen. Lafrenz with Angie Okamoto-Ong and one of the IANG's Apache helicopters behind them.
Angie's paintings being held by IANG members along side an Apache helicopter.
Presentation of Distinguished Service Medal to Angie
(L to R) Col. Goodale, Maj. Gen. (Ret) Thomas Kane, Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, Angie Okamoto-Ong, Walter Okamoto, Col. Shawver, Col. Barth, CMS Sinnema
On Thursday,
July 28th 2005, Angie Okamoto-Ong was awarded the Distinguished
Service Medal by Gov. Dirk Kempthorne as Commander-In-Chief of
the Idaho National Guard, at the Governor’s Office in Boise.
This award is rarely given to civilians. It came as a total surprise
to Angie. She had been told by the members of the Guard and her
husband, Walter, that she was going to the State House to present
to the Governor framed prints of two of her artworks that she
had completed and donated to the Idaho National Guard in 2004.
The award was: “For distinguished service to the soldiers and airmen of the Idaho National Guard by supporting them through her artistic contributions. Angie’s world famous paintings depicting the military equipment utilized by the Idaho National Guard, and her generous contributions of both artwork and time, has left a lasting legacy that will be enjoyed by many for generations to come. It is truly befitting Angie’s generous nature and her unwavering support to Idaho’s military that she is awarded the Idaho Distinguished Service Medal.”
Left - Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, Right
- Angie Okamoto-Ong
The four original
paintings, the A-10 Thunderbolt (“Warthog”), C-130
Hercules transport, AH-64A Apache Attack Helicopter, and the
UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter, are permanently on display at the
Idaho National Guard at Gowen Field.
Angie and Walter are grateful for the men and women of the
military, who are willing to sacrifice so much to protect our
freedom and liberties and that of people of other nations.
(A note from Angie) "Also, a special thank you to Maj. Gen.
(Ret) Kane and Maj. Gen. Lafrenz for giving me the opportunity
to do the paintings, meet and work with the wonderful people
of the Idaho National Guard, and the honor of receiving the medal.
Receiving the medal was one of the most special and unexpected
moments in my life."
2004 Art Show Award
Winner – Columbia Basin Western Art Show 2004 “Poster Artist” Competition, Hermiston, Oregon.
Flight on Blackhawk Helicopter, September 17 & December 17, 2003
The Idaho Army National Guard treated Angie, her husband Walt, and her mother Dona to a photo flight on September 17, 2003 on a Blackhawk helicopter to film Apache helicopters during live-fire training. This flight was to obtain reference material for the Blackhawk and Apache helicopter paintings to be completed. Shown in the photo are Walt (Angie’s husband), Lt. Col Garshak, the flight crew, Angie and her mother, Dona. A big “Thank You” to a wonderful crew and an exciting flight.
Dec. 17th, 2003. On the left is Angie and her brother, John, with Blackhawk flight crew, and on the right is Pilot, Lt. Col. Garshak, with co-pilot, hovering near waterfall.
Idaho Air National Guard, June 7, 2003, Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho
“Sawtooth Airlift” and “And Hell’s Comin’ With Me” were presented to Major Gen. Jack Kane, Commanding General of the Idaho National Guard and Brigadier Gen. Gary Sayler, Commander of the 124th Wing of the Idaho Air National Guard. Angie presented these two paintings to the Guard and a complimentary print of each painting to the A10 and C130 units in honor of the men and women who participated in the war in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq. Ironically, IANG A10 #691 (the aircraft photographed for the painting in 2001), was shot down in Iraq in April, 2003. The pilot was rescued safely but the aircraft was destroyed.
(First Ntl Guard photo is presentation to Gen. Kane; second is presentation of prints to wing units.)
Angie has been commissioned to do two more paintings for the Idaho National Guard, this time for the Idaho Army National Guard. The two aircraft that will be painted will be the Blackhawk and Apache helicopters. Photos to follow!!
Presentation at Point Mugu Naval Base
Craig & Rose Tedmon, parents of Commander Richard Tedmon, USNR, Fleet Logistic Support Squadron Five Five, commissioned a painting to be presented to their son at his retirement in June 2003.