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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

R. H. "Bobby" Watson entered the Aviation Cadet Corps in 1955. He completed Primary flight training at Bainbridge AB, GA, Basic at Laughlin AFB, TX, and Advanced at Perrin AFB, TX. He was first assigned to the 86th FIS and flew the F-86D/L and the F-102A at Youngstown Municipal Airport, OH.

After his marriage to the former Helen Morris of Warren, Ohio, he was reassigned to the 325th FIS at Truax Field, Wl, in 1960 and to the 57th FIS at NAS Keflavik, Iceland in 1962 where, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, he took the first up-close airborne photographs of the Soviet Tupolev "Bear D" bomber. He instructed in the F/TF102 at Perrin AFB from 1964 to 1969.

Following 12 years in the Air Defense Command he transitioned to the F4C/D at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, before reporting to the 4th TFS at DaNang AB, Republic of Vietnam, where he flew 150 missions in the F4E.

Following the combat tour in Vietnam he, Helen, and their three children Tom, Mary, and Susan, reported to the 36th TFS at Yokota AB, Japan for six months before moving to the 44th TFS at Kadena AB, Okinawa.

After four years in the Far East he went to Hahn AB, Germany where he commanded the 10th TFS in 1995-96. His squadron conducted the European trials of the laser precision guided bomb and the Maverick missile. In 1995 the "Fightin' Tenth" won the USAFE Commander's Trophy as the best Tactical Fighter Squadron in Europe.

In 1997 he returned to Bergstrom AFB, TX, where he served as Chief of Training, Director of Safety, and Director of Current Operations on the 12AF Staff. In May 1981 after 26 years of service and over 4200 hours of fighter time, Colonel Watson retired to his home in Warrenton, Missouri.