Capt Ian J. Watkins, United States Air Force, a Weapons Systems Officer in the B-1 Bomber, and assigned to the 9th Bomb Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas, recently deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, in support of U.S. Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence mission. The 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron is taking over U.S. Pacific Command’s operations from the 34th EBS, assigned to Ellsworth AFB, S.D. The B-1s will continue to support USPACOM in conducting routine, strategic deterrence and regional training missions. The B-1 units bring a unique perspective and years of repeated combat and operational experience from the Central Command theater to the Pacific. They will provide a
significant rapid global strike capability that enables readiness and commitment to deterrence, offers assurance to the U.S. allies and strengthens regional security and stability in the region. Training in a different part of the world allows the B-1 aircrews the opportunity to integrate with Pacific partners to enhance interoperability and regional cooperation.
Ian is the son of Kemper S. Watkins, USAF retired of Houston, Texas, and the former Renalda J. Hoberecht of Yorktown, VA. His brother, TSgt Tyler S. Watkins is also a USAF member and serves as an Intelligence Analyst at MacDill, AFB, Fla. Ian and Tyler are the
grandsons of Gretchen and Julius Scheck of Great Bend and Judy and Duane Garmeson of Kansas City.