bobdina
10-27-2009, 11:06 AM
Brothers help Afghanistan on the ground and in the air
A People In Defence news article
27 Oct 09
While Army Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark Boardman is helping to improve the infrastructure in Helmand province, his brother, RAF pilot Flight Lieutenant Richard Boardman, is flying overhead in the Tornado GR4, providing tactical reconnaissance to troops on the ground.
RAF Tornado GR4 takes off from Kandahar Airfield
An RAF Tornado GR4 takes off from Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan
[Picture: Senior Aircraftman Neil Chapman, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
WO2 Mark Boardman, aged 36, is in the Royal Engineers. He is currently based at Lashkar Gah with the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team where for the past six months he has been working as part of a multi-national group to improve everyday life for Afghans; from constructing schools to installing an oxygen generator in a hospital that supplied oxygen for 20 beds.
He said:
"The effect you can have on ordinary people's lives is massive. The highlight of my tour was enabling a contract to improve Bost Airport. Its development will create local jobs and improve trade, and in so doing help with Afghanistan's reconstruction."
Flt Lt Richard Boardman, aged 35, is from 14 Squadron, based at Royal Air Force Lossiemouth, Scotland.
While the Tornado jet he flies over Afghanistan is capable of delivering a wide variety of weapons including Brimstone and Paveway IV with breathtaking accuracy, it is in the role of tactical reconnaissance in which this aircraft excels.
Using RAPTOR (Reconnaissance Airborne Pod for Tornado), the aircraft can provide high resolution images from distances in excess of 25 miles (40km), allowing intelligence to be gathered unnoticed. The aircraft's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance role is vital in the battle against deadly improvised explosive devices (IEDs). See Related News >>>
Flight Lieutenant Richard Boardman (left) with his brother Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark Boardman
Flt Lt Boardman said:
"Supporting the troops on the ground is the key reason why we are out here and, for me, that is what makes this tour rewarding: being able to identify IEDs, preventing our guys from getting killed, and being there when needed to provide close air support for troops engaged with the enemy."
Both brothers went to the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester. WO2 Boardman joined the Royal Engineers in 1989, straight from school. He said:
"I was in the Army Cadets and always wanted to join the Army; whereas for Richard, it was the Air Cadets and a life as an RAF pilot."
Flt Lt Boardman joined the Royal Air Force in 1997 and was the first pilot to fly with RAPTOR, trialling it in the Middle East in 2002. When an aircraft is required for close air support, the pilots sometimes have to scramble and get airborne within minutes. He said:
"It takes me back to the Battle of Britain era, running to your aircraft and taking off moments later; it is the reason why I joined in the first place!"
"Supporting the troops on the ground is the key reason why we are out here and, for me, that is what makes this tour rewarding."
Flight Lieutenant Richard Boardman
For both brothers, it is not their first time on operations. Last time WO2 Boardman was in Afghanistan he oversaw the construction of the ramp where the British Tornados are now stationed. Flt Lt Boardman has been detached to Al Udeid in Qatar a number of times in support of the Iraq conflict.
Talking about Afghanistan's reconstruction, WO2 Boardman said:
"I have found my tour working in the Provincial Reconstruction Team extremely rewarding. There are numerous projects which are producing positive results for the people of Helmand. Sadly the people back home don't hear enough about the progress that is being made with reconstruction.
WO2 Boardman's wife, Lisa, and their two children, Adam, aged 12, and Hannah, aged 9, live in Chilwell, Nottingham. He added:
"I have missed my family and I am looking forward to getting back into family life. I have already planned to go walking with dad in the Peak District; there is nothing like the English countryside."
Flt Lt Boardman also expressed how much he has missed his family: his wife, Nicky, and three children, Harvey, aged 7, Archie, aged 5, and Ellis, aged 2, who live in Lossiemouth, Scotland.
He said:
"I can't wait to see my lovely wife, Nicky, and celebrate our ninth anniversary together. I am also looking forward to seeing our new house that my wife has spent considerable time redecorating whilst I have been away!"
The brothers' parents, Kate and Ken, still live in Dorchester. With both sons back in the UK for Christmas, there are plans for a family skiing holiday to celebrate their mum's 60th birthday.
It is clear that both brothers are happy with a career in the Armed Forces and when they were asked whether they would encourage their children to join the Services, their answer was a resounding 'yes'.
A People In Defence news article
27 Oct 09
While Army Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark Boardman is helping to improve the infrastructure in Helmand province, his brother, RAF pilot Flight Lieutenant Richard Boardman, is flying overhead in the Tornado GR4, providing tactical reconnaissance to troops on the ground.
RAF Tornado GR4 takes off from Kandahar Airfield
An RAF Tornado GR4 takes off from Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan
[Picture: Senior Aircraftman Neil Chapman, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
WO2 Mark Boardman, aged 36, is in the Royal Engineers. He is currently based at Lashkar Gah with the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team where for the past six months he has been working as part of a multi-national group to improve everyday life for Afghans; from constructing schools to installing an oxygen generator in a hospital that supplied oxygen for 20 beds.
He said:
"The effect you can have on ordinary people's lives is massive. The highlight of my tour was enabling a contract to improve Bost Airport. Its development will create local jobs and improve trade, and in so doing help with Afghanistan's reconstruction."
Flt Lt Richard Boardman, aged 35, is from 14 Squadron, based at Royal Air Force Lossiemouth, Scotland.
While the Tornado jet he flies over Afghanistan is capable of delivering a wide variety of weapons including Brimstone and Paveway IV with breathtaking accuracy, it is in the role of tactical reconnaissance in which this aircraft excels.
Using RAPTOR (Reconnaissance Airborne Pod for Tornado), the aircraft can provide high resolution images from distances in excess of 25 miles (40km), allowing intelligence to be gathered unnoticed. The aircraft's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance role is vital in the battle against deadly improvised explosive devices (IEDs). See Related News >>>
Flight Lieutenant Richard Boardman (left) with his brother Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark Boardman
Flt Lt Boardman said:
"Supporting the troops on the ground is the key reason why we are out here and, for me, that is what makes this tour rewarding: being able to identify IEDs, preventing our guys from getting killed, and being there when needed to provide close air support for troops engaged with the enemy."
Both brothers went to the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester. WO2 Boardman joined the Royal Engineers in 1989, straight from school. He said:
"I was in the Army Cadets and always wanted to join the Army; whereas for Richard, it was the Air Cadets and a life as an RAF pilot."
Flt Lt Boardman joined the Royal Air Force in 1997 and was the first pilot to fly with RAPTOR, trialling it in the Middle East in 2002. When an aircraft is required for close air support, the pilots sometimes have to scramble and get airborne within minutes. He said:
"It takes me back to the Battle of Britain era, running to your aircraft and taking off moments later; it is the reason why I joined in the first place!"
"Supporting the troops on the ground is the key reason why we are out here and, for me, that is what makes this tour rewarding."
Flight Lieutenant Richard Boardman
For both brothers, it is not their first time on operations. Last time WO2 Boardman was in Afghanistan he oversaw the construction of the ramp where the British Tornados are now stationed. Flt Lt Boardman has been detached to Al Udeid in Qatar a number of times in support of the Iraq conflict.
Talking about Afghanistan's reconstruction, WO2 Boardman said:
"I have found my tour working in the Provincial Reconstruction Team extremely rewarding. There are numerous projects which are producing positive results for the people of Helmand. Sadly the people back home don't hear enough about the progress that is being made with reconstruction.
WO2 Boardman's wife, Lisa, and their two children, Adam, aged 12, and Hannah, aged 9, live in Chilwell, Nottingham. He added:
"I have missed my family and I am looking forward to getting back into family life. I have already planned to go walking with dad in the Peak District; there is nothing like the English countryside."
Flt Lt Boardman also expressed how much he has missed his family: his wife, Nicky, and three children, Harvey, aged 7, Archie, aged 5, and Ellis, aged 2, who live in Lossiemouth, Scotland.
He said:
"I can't wait to see my lovely wife, Nicky, and celebrate our ninth anniversary together. I am also looking forward to seeing our new house that my wife has spent considerable time redecorating whilst I have been away!"
The brothers' parents, Kate and Ken, still live in Dorchester. With both sons back in the UK for Christmas, there are plans for a family skiing holiday to celebrate their mum's 60th birthday.
It is clear that both brothers are happy with a career in the Armed Forces and when they were asked whether they would encourage their children to join the Services, their answer was a resounding 'yes'.