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Weston (West Virginia) Police sergeant returns from military deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Staff Writer Jonathan Weaver
  • 171 Air Refueling Wing
Weston, W. Va. --  A first sergeant with Weston Police, Minney completed his second deployment with the 171st Air Refueling Wing (part of the Air National Guard) before Thanksgiving. His first visit was to his parents’ house in Roane County, but he also caught up with friends.

Police Chief Mike Posey said Minney’s first shift was Jan. 1 after being off in December.

Minney was deployed for months to U.S. Central Command, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, headquartered in Hawaii, to repair the KC-135 refueling plane.

“I’ve never heard anyone say there was a bad deployment,” Minney said. “We’re not always going to be able to fix everything because they don’t make parts for those airplanes anymore, but we’re 24/7. We’ll get it fixed as fast as we can. The job will get done in a safe way.”

The senior airman (E-4) said he is one of only two members of his maintenance squadron from the Mountain State. He also knows military from other states (such as Texas and North Carolina), and remains friends on social media with many of them.

On his most-recent deployment, Minney personally knew about 30 to 40 fellow airmen who were deployed, but met other active duty military and reservists from another base.

“There’s a lot of stuff I still have to learn, but I have the basics,” Minney said. “It’s a hard job. You’re always staying busy on weekends.”

Military service is predominant in Minney’s immediate and extended family, including a cousin currently serving in the National Guard in New Jersey and father James and mother Mary serving with the U.S. Army.

James also works as a Charleston mechanic, which also inspired Jacob to serve in his role within the Air National Guard.

“I felt like I wanted to do something more. It is another way to explore the world, a good opportunity,” Jacob Minney said. “I grew up on a farm, and I’m not saying tractors and planes are alike, but I know how to use tools and don’t mind getting my hands dirty.

“It’s a gritty job that’s hard but is rewarding. It doesn’t matter if it’s 120 (degrees) or -5 (degrees), you still have to go out and work on those planes.”

Minney, who said policing is different than serving in the Air National Guard, expressed his interest in joining the Guard with West Virginia State Police Trooper Zach Cooper while Cooper was stationed in Weston. Cooper is now stationed at the Morgantown District Detachment.

A graduate of Fairmont State University’s criminal justice program, Minney preset drill dates for the fiscal year. He signed a six-year contract Sept. 23, 2018.

Minney knows of more officers within the Weston Police Department, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the Weston State Police Detachment who also served in the military.

The Roane County native has also worked for Fairmont State University Police and Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, and hopes to serve between the military and Weston Police for as much as 20 years.

This article was originally posted at: https://www.wvnews.com/westondemocrat/news/weston-west-virginia-police-sergeant-returns-from-military-deployment/article_3b1e137a-ae66-11ee-b135-4f151472bc44.html