Ian J. Watkins has completed his United States Air Force Officer Training School at Maxwell, Air Force Base, Alabama, and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant. Ian graduated from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va., with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics. Stationed at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., he is a Combat Systems Officer and will undergo extensive flight school training, aircraft weapons strategy and other related courses for the next 18 months. After completing his initial training, he will be assigned to one of the Air Force’s premier fighter aircraft such as the F-22 or transport aircraft such as the C-17, C-5 or C-130.
Ian is the son of Kemper and Melissa Watkins of Denver, Colo. and the former Renalda Hoberecht of Yorktown, Va. Kemper is a 1977 graduate
of Great Bend High School and is a retired Chief Master Sergeant in the USAF as well. Renalda is a 1978 graduate of GBHS. Ian’s brother Tyler S., is also in the USAF Reserves and a graduate of the University of South Florida. Tyler is an Intelligence Analyst currently stationed in Washington, D.C. Ian is the grandson of Gretchen and Julius Scheck of Great Bend and Judy and Duane Garmison of Kansas City.