Present Military Service 1990’s-Today

Crews 1998-526,TB 17 R9Se1, 2009-14TB98 R8Sd1 (AB 376, 378)

Anthony “Toni” Crews from Lowndes County was attached to the Co.  D 123rd Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division (Old Ironside) in Automotive Section when the battalion was alerted on November 9, 1990 to deploy to southwest Asia in support of Desert Storm Shield. In a copy of the memorandum dated 13 Feb 1991, SFC Crews along with TAA Thompson and CW2 Walls “established a maintenance operation that despite being forced to work in extreme winds, rain, and dust completed over 250 jobs in just over one month” and it is noted that the supply constraints were so extreme  that the majority of the parts had to be scrounged. A cartoon drawn on a piece of cardboard  illustrated  the “3rd shop D.S. Co. Sta R”  with the unit nicknamed  the “Delta Desert Dawgs.”  A bright yellow flag donated to the museum by Crews bears this nickname also.

On the 24th Feb, 1991 it was noted that “the whole battalion was working together to support the 1st Armored Division ‘s Attacks deep into Iraq.” The report stated, “It was the night that changed the war.” On the 28 February 1991 they were informed that President Bush had declared a cease fire, the Iraqi government had complied with all the UN resolutions and the war was over.

Anthony Crews documented his participation in Desert Storm Shield Operation with a large collection that he donated to the museum including his jumpsuit, fatigues, equipment, documents, photographs, a Desert Dawgs Flag as well as Iraqi textiles and documents much of which are on display in the main floor of the museum. The textiles are shown here but to learn more on Anthony Crews see the museum.

 

An interesting note is that Anthony Crew’s father Carlos Charles Crews (b.1916 d. 1996) was in the Army Air Corp during WWII and was wounded at Juno Beach on D-Day. While getting out of the landing boat he was shot in the ankle. He was awarded a Purple heart and a Bronze Star. Anthony’s grandfather Willie Benjamin Crews (1882-1920) also fought in WWI.

Minchew, Brian TB 116

Brian Minchew was born in Valdosta, Ga in 1970 ,His mother, Laura Minchew,  was a relative of a past historical society president Louie Peeples White.  During the Gulf War he served as a US Marine in Co. 2nd Marine Division Com.H.O. based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.    Among his  acquisition is a  beret that was from the Republican Army Elite Fighting Force with a metal eagles pin in center front and writing in Arabic. Also an ammunition case in black has Arabic writing and a paper label written in Arabic. Two olive green gas masks and bags, a back pack and field bag, and U.S.  issued MRE (Meals Ready To Eat) packages are also part of this acquisition. Brian also gave the museum pictures documenting front line service in the Gulf . On October 29, 2012, Brian visited the museum, and with some convincing, posed for pictures with some of his acquisition on display. Those who would like to see this in person will be happy to note that it is still on display in Gulf War exhibit on the main floor of the museum.

Robinson 2009-12 Tb 116 R8Sb1

Andrew P Robinson born in Valdosta, graduated from Valdosta High and received a BFA from Savannah School of Art and Design in Savannah,Georgia before entering the Air Force. After completing training was assigned to the 548th Reconnaissance Technical Group working as a Imagery Production Journeyman. He was promoted  to Senior Airman six months early due to his outstanding performance. He directly supported Operation Desert Storm by producing high quality imagery for targeting support. He received Commander Recognition. He  also produced time sensitive materials in the support of Operation Hope and processed aerial film flown by NASA to asses damaged caused by Hurricane Iniki in 1993. In 2000-2005 he was assigned to the 28th Operational Weather Squadron. He served in the Air Force 1990-2005 which included service in the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

TSG Andrew P Robinson was awarded the following: Air Force Commendation Medal with one devise, Joint Service Achievement Medal with one devise, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, AF Outstanding Unit Award with 5 devises, AF Organizational Excellence Award, AF Good Conduct Medal with 6 devises, American Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one devise, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, AF Overseas Ribbon Long with one devise, AF Longevity Service with 4 devises, USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon with one devise, AF Training Ribbon and NATO Medal.

Jenkins TB94  2009-003 R10Sd1 

Shannon Dale Jenkins (b.18 Jan,1955, D. Nov 21, 2016) was born in Atlanta, Georgia.  She was one of the first female police for Moody Air Force Base. During the Cold War she was stationed at Tempelhof Central Airport in 1985 with the 7350th Security Police Squadron and served 7 years there with her husband Tom Jenkins  and young daughter. Their apartment was located within sight of the wall and at night she would hear gun shots of those who would try to escape over the wall. (From the time it was constructed August 12, 1961 to the time it came down more than 98 people lost their lives trying to escape to the west side.) When the wall came down and the days following, Russia who had solders protecting the East side of the wall had no money to get their military men home. The men began to sell everything in order to buy food and passage home. Shannon acquired two Russian uniforms, art pieces made from the wall, and other artifacts.  Shannon donated a piece of the Berlin Wall to the museum and she let us scan pictures she had taken of her and her husband walking along the wall with their daughter. She also let us scan an article from Airmen Magazine November 1990 about the wall coming down in which she and her husband were interviewed and her daughter was photographed next to the wall. Shannon donated a Russian uniform and a t-shirt purchased at the time. She let us borrow a uniform for a  Special WWII and Beyond Exhibit at the museum in 2009. It was returned after the exhibit was finished. Shannon also was Program director for the Flint River Council with the Girl Scouts of America and assistant with the Azalea Festival in Valdosta Ga as well as being involved with other civic organizations.

Moody Air Force Base/ Nightwolves Deployment Patch Via Pliar Collection 2019-75-01 TB 72A

The  69th TTS Nightwovles were deployed twice during Operation Desert Storm from Moody Airforce Base in Valdosta, Georgia: Jan 8th-28th 1991 to Al Minhad Air Base Dubai, United Arab  Eimirates and Jan 29-March 4th 1991 at King Fahd International Airport Saudi Arabia. When getting ready to deploy an airshow was scheduled and hats, T shirts, and patches were ordered to sell at the airshow. Unfortunately the air show was canceled and the items were given to Ivy Plair. He sold them in his clothing store then located in the mall, and gave the funds to the 69th group. All was sold except a few patches which were given to the clothing store since much effort had gone into supporting this group.