Educator takes command of 14th FTW Published July 17, 2008 By Airman Josh Harbin 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- With confident poise and a sincere demeanor, he sat proudly on the couch in his office. He then began to introduce himself and expressed his hopes for the future of Columbus AFB. 14th Flying Training Wing commander, Col. Roger Watkins, grew up in Ft. Worth, Texas. He attended college at the University of Texas at Austin and graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Following in the footsteps of his parents who were teachers, Colonel Watkins taught middle school mathematics. "I felt like there was something else out there for me in life. I went out to an Air Show at Carswell AFB, Texas and thought it might be interesting to be in the Air Force." He said his considerations of joining the military became somewhat serious after the bombing of Libya in the mid-1980s, sparking his enthusiasm and inspiring a sense of patriotism. He applied for and was accepted to Officer Training School and was commissioned a second lieutenant on December 12, 1986. "There really isn't any history of military service in my immediate family. The only military service dates back to the Civil War," said Col. Watkins. After graduating from pilot training at Vance AFB in 1987, Colonel Watkins went on to fly KC-135 air refueling tankers at Grand Forks, North Dakota. He subsequently went on to become an instructor pilot for T-37 and T-1 aircraft at Reese AFB, Texas. "What I like most about being a instructor pilot at a Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training base is getting to instruct those who are ready to learn," Colonel Watkins considers himself a family man, dedicating most of his time to his wife, Leslie, and his children. His wife, from Odessa, Texas, and he met while in college at the University of Texas in Austin. His oldest son, Andrew, is an Army Ranger stationed at Ft. Lewis, Wash., and recently returned from a deployment to Iraq. His other two children, Brian and Katherine, are attending the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. "My family is extraordinarily important to me," said Colonel Watkins. On a personal note, he is also somewhat of a food connoisseur. He said he loves good food and enjoys cooking large meals for any occasion. He also enjoys outdoor activities, such as camping and hiking. "I'm not one of those 'sit behind the desk and work' types," said Colonel Watkins. In his closing remarks, he reflected on his personal ambitions for his time at Columbus AFB. He conveyed that people are the most important part of the mission. He asks that everyone do their best with enthusiasm and innovation. "I want to produce the best pilots this command (Air Education and Training Command) can. I also want the BLAZE team to continue its reputation of excellence...," said Colonel Watkins.
