Biography
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin M. Boera

  Lieutenant Colonel Boera graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Management Technology in 2007.  He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in August 2007 and subsequently completed The Basic School and Field Artillery Basic Officer Leadership Course aboard Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

In 2008 he received orders to 5th Battalion, 11th Marines aboard MCB Pendleton. While in Tango Battery he served as Battery Executive Officer, Platoon Commander, and Fire Direction Officer. He deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan as part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 10.1.  While stationed at Camp Pendleton Lieutenant Colonel Boera was selected on the Field Accession Board to begin training towards a Naval Aviator designation.

In fall 2010 Lieutenant Colonel Boera reported to MATSG-21 aboard NAS Pensacola to begin flight training. He was designated a Naval Aviator in November 2012 and reported for duty to VMAT-203 aboard MCAS Cherry Point.  In 2014 he was designated a qualified AV-8B Harrier pilot and received orders to VMA-311 at MCAS Yuma.  Lieutenant Colonel Boera served as Airframes Officer and deployed on the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit which supported Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in 2015.  Following return from deployment Lieutenant Colonel Boera was assigned as Quality Assurance Officer and Aviation Safety Officer before deploying on an Individual Augment as a Joint Combat Plans Coalition Liaison Officer at the Combined Air Operations Center in Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.  Lieutenant Colonel Boera was selected for conversion to the F-35B Lightning II in 2016.

Following conversion training at VMFAT-501 in 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Boera received orders to VMFA-122 MCAS Yuma and was part of the initial cadre that stood up the re-designated VMFA-122 in 2017.  Lieutenant Colonel Boera served as the Director of Safety and Standardization, Assistant Operations Officer, and Operations Officer.  He deployed on the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2021 as the F-35B Future Operations Officer and supported Operation OCTAVE QUARTZ and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE before receiving orders to VMFA-242 at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.

In summer 2021 Lieutenant Colonel Boera reported for duty at VMFA-242 and assisted in the designation of Full Operational Capability of the squadron.  He served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Detachment Officer-in-Charge for the squadron’s first deployed 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit patrol 23.1.  Lieutenant Colonel Boera is currently serving as the Executive Officer, VMFA-242.

Lieutenant Colonel Boera’s personal awards include the Air Medal Strike/Flight with numeral 2, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star.