Father, son from different services making a difference in Afghanistan

Published April 13, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
U.S. Air Force Central combat camera

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- An Afghan National Army Air Corps C-27A Spartan cargo aircraft took off from Kabul International Airport to conduct an International Security Assistance Force mission transporting weapons and cargo for Afghanistan National Police.

At Camp Bastion, Marine 1st Lt. Benjamin Boera, a 5th Battalion 11th Marines High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Tango Battery platoon commander here, watched the cargo plane land. He swells up with pride because one of the pilots on the mission is his dad, Brig. Gen. Michael R. Boera, a Combined Air Power Transition Force commander and the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing commander.

As the aircraft taxis on the flight-line, General Boera greets his son with a wave and a smile from the cockpit and his son returns the greeting.

As the doors of the C-27 open, Lieutenant Boera enters the aircraft and said what he has uttered a thousand times, "Hey Dad," and his father answered "How you doing, Ben?" The Boeras are on the frontlines of transition and kinetic operations in Afghanistan.

Since September 2009, General Boera has led a joint and combined organization to mentor, train and assist Afghan National Security Forces aviation units. He conducts strategic-level coordination with U.S. Central Command, NATO International Security Assistance Force and Afghan ministries of Defense and Interior officials to develop the presidential airlift, battlefield mobility, attack, command and control, counter-narcotics, police aviation, security and reconnaissance capabilities of the Afghan air forces.

Lieutenant Boera, deployed from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., in January. His unit has been an active participant in Operation Moshtarek, a NATO-Afghan joint offensive involving 15,000 Afghan, Canadian, American and British troops. His platoon directly supports the 1st Marine Division and provisional rifle companies with artillery.

But for a few moments it was just a parent catching up with his boy. The general introduced his son to the aircrew and they talked.

"So this is the C-27," Lieutenant Boera said. "Is this the first operational mission?"

"No, that was a couple of days ago," General Boera said. "We have an Afghan airman getting his check ride and we are delivering weapons for some of the Afghan police here."

The Marine lieutenant and the Air Force general drove off to share some private time, now just father and son.

After spending time together the duo returned to the flightline to the waiting C-27.

"I am proud of you, keep up the good work and stand tall," General Boera said to his son.

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