Pioneers In Blues

U.S. Air Force Ret. SMSgt (Ret) Mitchell Jenkins, Resource Management Officer, 1st Combat Camera Squadron served as a combat videographer from 10 Oct 68 to 1 Aug 89. During his military career served two tours of duty in Southeast Asia as an aerial and ground combat documentation cameraman. He flew over 100 combat missions in some 10 different air frames. As an E-4, he was awarded the Distinguish Flying Gross, (4) Air Medals, and the Outstanding Unit Citation with “V” device. Sgt Jenkins’ primary duty was Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) photographer with the 16th Special Operations Squadron onboard a C-130 Gunship, (SPECTRE). His secondary duties included alert photographer for air rescue missions onboard H-53 (Jolly Green Giant) helicopters. He also flew countless Forward Air Control (FAC) missions on OV-10 aircrafts, and air strike mission on F-100 Sabers, and F-4 Phantom fighters. In addition, he flew many C-130 re-supply missions, and Army UH-1 medical evacuation missions throughout Vietnam. He even voluntarily flew a few Air America missions to capture the actions of US forces in Southeast Asia. Mr. Jenkins also flew over flew over 5,000 hours in various aircraft and he participated in many operational and humanitarian missions, one major event he documented in was in 1983, Operation UGENT FURY where film was the last time used during a mission. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Staff Sgt. Angelita M. Lawrence)(released)

160512-F-ZZ999-014.JPG Photo By: Staff Sgt. Angelita M. Lawrence

May 12, 2016

Charleston AFB - U.S. Air Force Ret. SMSgt (Ret) Mitchell Jenkins, Resource Management Officer, 1st Combat Camera Squadron served as a combat videographer from 10 Oct 68 to 1 Aug 89. During his military career served two tours of duty in Southeast Asia as an aerial and ground combat documentation cameraman. He flew over 100 combat missions in some 10 different air frames. As an E-4, he was awarded the Distinguish Flying Gross, (4) Air Medals, and the Outstanding Unit Citation with “V” device. Sgt Jenkins’ primary duty was Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) photographer with the 16th Special Operations Squadron onboard a C-130 Gunship, (SPECTRE). His secondary duties included alert photographer for air rescue missions onboard H-53 (Jolly Green Giant) helicopters. He also flew countless Forward Air Control (FAC) missions on OV-10 aircrafts, and air strike mission on F-100 Sabers, and F-4 Phantom fighters. In addition, he flew many C-130 re-supply missions, and Army UH-1 medical evacuation missions throughout Vietnam. He even voluntarily flew a few Air America missions to capture the actions of US forces in Southeast Asia. Mr. Jenkins also flew over flew over 5,000 hours in various aircraft and he participated in many operational and humanitarian missions, one major event he documented in was in 1983, Operation UGENT FURY where film was the last time used during a mission. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Staff Sgt. Angelita M. Lawrence)(released)

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