Mark Binskin

Mark Donald Binskin
Born	20 March 1960 (1960-03-20) (age 51) Sydney, New South Wales
Allegiance	Commonwealth of Australia
Service/branch	Royal Australian Air Force  Royal Australian Navy
Years of service	1978 – Present
Rank	Air Marshal
Commands held	Vice Chief of Defence Force Chief of Air Force RAAF Air Command Air Combat Group No. 77 Squadron
Battles/wars	Iraq War Operation Catalyst
Awards	Officer of the Order of Australia Commendation for Distinguished Service Gugseon Medal of the Order of National Security Merit (South Korea) Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore)

Air Marshal Mark Donald Binskin AO (b. 20 March 1960) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, currently serving as Vice Chief of the Defence Force. He previously served as Chief of Air Force from 2008 until 2011.

Early life

Binskin was born in Sydney and grew up in Campbelltown, New South Wales. He attend Campbelltown Public School. He completed secondary schooling at Hurlstone Agricultural High School.^[1]

Service history

Binskin joined the Royal Australian Navy in May 1978 and on completion of flying training, was posted to fly A-4G Skyhawk aircraft at Naval Air Station HMAS Albatross.^[2]

In January 1982, he was selected as the first RAN pilot to undergo an exchange with the Royal Australian Air Force, flying Mirage III aircraft. On completion of this exchange, and with the disbanding of the Navy's fixed wing capability, he joined the RAAF in 1984.^[2]

Mark Binskin was the Commanding Officer of No. 77 Squadron at Williamtown during the period 1998 and 1999, and later Commander of Air Combat Group in 2004 until 2005.^[2]

Binskin's flying qualifications include Fighter Combat Instructor and Tactical Reconnaissance Pilot. Additionally, he has served as the RAAF F/A-18 Hornet Demonstration Pilot, and in this position represented the RAAF throughout Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand, and has over 3,500 hours in single-seat fighter aircraft. He was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his performance in these two positions.^[3]

During Australia's 2003 contribution to the war in Iraq, he served as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Australian Theatre. Following this, he served as the first dedicated non-United States Air Force Director of the US Central Air Force Combined Air and Space Operations Centre, where he was responsible for the conduct of all Coalition air operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (ADF Operations Catalyst and Slipper). For his leadership capabilities in this appointment, he was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service.^[4]

Binskin was appointed to the position of Air Commander Australia on 26 July 2007.^[5] He assumed the position of Chief of the Air Force on 4 July 2008;^[6] upon assuming this appointment, he was promoted to Air Marshal on 4 July 2008.^[2]

Binskin was appointed an Officer of the Order Of Australia in the 2010 Queens Birthday Honours List for distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff appointments.^[7] Binskin has additionally been honoured with Singapore's Meritorious Service Medal, and the Gugseon Medal of the Order of National Security Merit from South Korea.^[8]

On 1 June 2011, it was announced that Binskin would be appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Force from 4 July for a term of three years in the Defence leadership change over.^[9]

Personal life

Binskin is married to Gitte. Together they have two sons; Scott who born in 1989 and Nicholas who was born in 1993. His interests include camping, motor sports and motorcycle riding.^[2]

Honours and awards

	Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)	(2010)[7]
	Member of the Order of Australia (AM)	(1989)[3]
	Commendation for Distinguished Service	(26 January 2005)[4]
	Australian Active Service Medal	with 2 Clasps "IRAQ 2003" and "ICAT"[citation needed]
	Iraq Medal
	Defence Force Service Medal with 3 clasps	30–34 years service
	Australian Defence Medal
	Order of National Security Merit (Korea)	2010
	Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera)	2010

References

1. ^ Gharahkani, Soraiya (16 April 2008). "Flying high". Cambelltown Macarthur Advertiser. http://campbelltown.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/flying-high/1224629.html. Retrieved 2008-05-01. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Chief of Air Force". raaf.gov.au. 2009. http://www.raaf.gov.au/Leaders/caf.aspx. Retrieved 12 April 2010. ^{[dead link]}
3. ^ ^{a b} It's an Honour entry - Member of the Order of Australia - 12 June 1989
   Citation: In recognition of service to the RAAF as an F/A-18 display pilot and the No77 Squadron Fighter Combat Instructor.
4. ^ ^{a b} It's an Honour entry - Commendation for Distinguished Service - 26 January 2005
   Citation: For distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations as the Director of the Coalition Combined Air Operations Center in the Middle East Area of Operations during Operation CATALYST.
5. ^ "Bio for Air Vice Marshal Mark Binskin". Safeskies Aviation Safety Conference. 1 November 2007. http://www.safeskiesaustralia.org/speakers_binskin.html. Retrieved 2008-05-01. ^{[dead link]}
6. ^ New Defence leadership team announced
7. ^ ^{a b} Its an Honour Binksin AO retrieved 14 June 2010
8. ^ "Chief of Air Force: Air Marshal Mark Binskin". Leaders. Royal Australian Air Force. http://www.airforce.gov.au/leaders/caf.aspx. Retrieved 14 October 2010. 
9. ^ "New Chiefs for the Australian Defence Force". Department of Defence. http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Smithtpl.cfm?CurrentId=11900. Retrieved 2 June 2011. 

External links

• Royal Australian Air Force Biography
• Defence Leaders' Biography
• Official photo (copyright)

Military offices
Preceded by Lieutenant General David Hurley	Vice Chief of the Defence Force 2011 –	Succeeded by Incumbent
Preceded by Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd	Chief of Air Force 2008 – 2011	Succeeded by Air Marshal Geoff Brown
Preceded by Air Vice Marshal John Quaife	Air Commander Australia 2007 – 2008	Succeeded by Air Vice Marshal Mark Skidmore

Persondata
Name	Binskin, Mark
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	20 March 1960
Place of birth	Sydney, New South Wales
Date of death
Place of death