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Father, son from different services making a difference in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
  • U.S. AFCENT Combat Camera
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan --  The Afghan National Army Air Corps C-27A Spartan cargo aircraft takes off from Kabul International Airport. It has a pretty important mission. On this day, the crew is conducting an International Security Assistance Force mission transporting weapons and cargo for Afghanistan National Police and in the back of the aircraft, a loadmaster is performing his primary duties while receiving a check ride from a Combined Air Power Transition Force (CAPTF) Airman to become the country's first-qualified C-27 loadmaster.

At Camp Bastion, Marine 1LT Ben Boera, 5th Battalion 11th Marines High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Tango Battery platoon commander here, watches the cargo plane land at Camp Bastion. He swells up with pride, not because of the importance of the mission and its crew, but because of one of the pilots on the mission is his dad, Brig. Gen. Michael Boera, CAPTF and 438th Air Expeditionary Wing commander.

As the aircraft taxis on the flight-line, the father recognizes the familiar figure waiting at the end of the parking area, his son. He greets his son with a wave and a smile from the cockpit and from the ground his son returns the greeting.

As the doors of the C-27 open, Lieutenant Boera enters the aircraft and says what he has uttered a thousand times, "Hey Dad," and his father answers "How you doing, Ben?" This is a simple greeting for the Boeras, who 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 ISAF and the Afghan ministries of Defense and Interior to develop the presidential airlift, battlefield mobility, attack, command and control, counter-narcotics, police aviation, security and reconnaissance capabilities of the Afghan air forces.

The younger 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 all those responsibilities are placed to the side. It's just a parent catching up with his boy. The General introduces his son to the aircrew and they talk.

"So this is the C-27," says the younger Boera.

"This is it," says his father.

"Is this the first operational mission?" his son asks.

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

"That's cool," his son says smiling brightly.

The conversation is casual, but you can tell they can't wait to get together in private and share a moment away from the flight-line, away from the aircraft, away from the obvious trappings of a war zone.

"Ready to go to see my work place, dad, I got a car right out here," says Lieutenant Boera.

"Ready," answers General Boera.

The Marine Lieutenant and the Air Force General drive off to share a private time, now just father and son.

After an hour the duo returns to the flightline walking slowly to the waiting C-27 to savor their time together. The father turns to the son and says "I am proud of you, keep up the good work and stand tall."

The son looks down and is greeted with a commander's coin and then a hug.

It is back to work for the Boera's, they have much to do. They are both in the service of their country and have important missions in Afghanistan. As they say goodbye for the last time it is clear they have not forgotten the most important mission to them ... one being the father of a Marine and the other, a son of an Airman.