Lieutenant Colonel Daryl Boersma, a native of Oak Forest, IL was commissioned in June 1996 through the Platoon Leaders Class after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Studies from the University of North Dakota. After completing The Basic School in May 1997 he proceeded to NAS Pensacola as a student Naval Aviator. Following various postings and courses in April, 1999, he received his wings of gold and was designated a Naval Aviator. Upon completion of KC-130 training in July 2000 he was assigned to his first fleet unit, VMGR-252 “Otis” in Cherry Point, North Carolina.
Then Capt Boersma participated in various MEU and Combined Arms Exercise training cycles while assigned to VMGR-252. During this assignment he deployed to both Croatia and Kosovo supporting the 26th MEU and to Greece in support of a Brightstar exercise. In December 2001, Capt Boersma deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM serving as a KC-130 pilot supporting Task Force 58.
In July 2002, Capt Boersma reported to the Marine Corps University where he attended Expeditionary Warfighting School. After graduation he was assigned to Training Squadron Two in Milton, Florida for duty as a Primary Flight Instructor in the T-34C. He served as the Aviation Safety Officer, Scheduling officer, and Chief of Standardization during this assignment accumulating over 1,400 flight hours in the T-34C.
In August of 2006, Maj Boersma returned to the Fleet Marine Force when he was assigned to III MEF G-3 as the Air Officer in Okinawa, Japan. Numerous deployments for exercises ensued to Korea, Australia, and Japan during this posting. This tour culminated with embarkation aboard the USS BLUE RIDGE in support of Exercise TALISMAN SABRE.
Returning to the cockpit in August 2007, Maj Boersma was assigned to the “Rangers” of VMGR-234 in Fort Worth, TX. During this tour he served as the Aviation Safety Officer and Operations Officer. He achieved designation as a Section Lead, Division Lead, and Basic Instructor Pilot in the KC-130T. Following this assignment Maj Boersma was selected to attend the Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Upon graduation in June of 2011, Maj Boersma transferred to US Southern Command for a Joint Duty Assignment. During this tour Maj Boersma was the lead planner for South America’s largest Joint and Coalition exercise; PANAMAX. Promoted to his present rank in January of 2013, LtCol Boersma ascended to Chief of Joint Exercises while assigned to US Southern Command.
In July of 2014, LtCol Boersma transferred and took Command of Marine Corps Installation Camp Mujuk, Republic of Korea. He oversaw the support for numerous bi-lateral training events between the US and Republic of Korea Marine Corps Units. Relinquishing Command in July of 2015 and reported to his current posting with MATSG-21 at NAS Pensacola, FL.
Lieutenant Colonel Boersma’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Strike/Flight numeral 1, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He has accumulated over 3,000 flight hours in multiple aircraft.