Mark Binskin

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Mark Donald Binskin
Air Marshal Mark Binskin 2010.png
Air Marshal Mark Binskin in March 2010
Born (1960-03-20) 20 March 1960 (age 65)
Sydney, New South Wales
Allegiance  Australia
Service/branch  Royal Australian Navy
 Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service 1978 – present
Rank Air Chief Marshal
Commands held Chief of Defence Force
Vice Chief of Defence Force
Chief of Air Force
RAAF Air Command
Air Combat Group
No. 77 Squadron
Battles/wars Iraq War
Awards Companion of the Order of Australia
Commendation for Distinguished Service
Gugseon Medal of the Order of National Security Merit (South Korea)
Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore)
Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France)

Air Chief Marshal Mark Donald Binskin AC (born 20 March 1960) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, currently serving as Chief of the Defence Force. He previously served as Vice Chief of the Defence Force from 2011 until 2014, and Chief of Air Force from 2008 until 2011.

Early life

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

Service history

Binskin joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) 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 (RAAF), flying Mirage III aircraft. On completion of this exchange, and with the disbanding of the Navy's fixed wing capability, he transferred to the RAAF in 1984.[2]

Binskin served as the Commanding Officer of No. 77 Squadron at Williamtown during the period 1998 and 1999, and later Commander of Air Combat Group from 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, Binskin 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 (CAF) 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 for distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff appointments.[7] He 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 (VCDF) from 4 July for a term of three years in the Defence leadership change over.[9] For his "eminent service to the Australian Defence Force" as CAF and VCDF, Binskin was advanced to a Companion of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Australia Day Honours.[10]

On 4 April 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that Binskin will take over as Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) when General David Hurley's term expires on 4 July 2014 and the current Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs will replace him as VCDF.[11] The change of command occurred slightly earlier than advised, with Binskin promoted to air chief marshal and appointed CDF during a ceremony on 30 June.[12]

Personal life

Binskin is married to Gitte. They have two sons. His interests include camping, motor sports and motorcycle riding.[2]

Honours and awards

Order of Australia (Military) ribbon.png

Commendation for Distinguished Service (Aust) ribbon.png Australian Active Service Medal ribbon.png Iraq Medal (Australia) ribbon.png DFSM with Rosette x 4.png

Australian Defence Medal (Australia) ribbon.png Gugseon Security Medal Ribbon.png Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) ribbon.png Legion Honneur Chevalier ribbon.svg

Order of Australia (Military) ribbon.png Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) 26 January 2014[10]
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) 14 June 2010[7]
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) 12 June 1989[3]
Commendation for Distinguished Service (Aust) ribbon.png Commendation for Distinguished Service 26 January 2005[4]
Australian Active Service Medal ribbon.png Australian Active Service Medal with 2 Clasps "IRAQ 2003" and "ICAT"[citation needed]
Iraq Medal (Australia) ribbon.png Iraq Medal
DFSM with Rosette x 4.png Defence Force Service Medal with 4 clasps 35–39 years service
Australian Defence Medal (Australia) ribbon.png Australian Defence Medal
Gugseon Security Medal Ribbon.png Gugseon Medal of the Order of National Security Merit (South Korea) 2010
Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) ribbon.png Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore) 8 June 2010.[13]
Legion Honneur Chevalier ribbon.svg Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France) January 2015

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.

Use <references />, or <references group="..." />

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
General David Hurley
 Chief of the Defence Force
2014–present		 Incumbent
Preceded by
Lieutenant General David Hurley
 Vice Chief of the Defence Force
2011–2014		 Succeeded by
Vice Admiral Ray Griggs
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
  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 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. ↑ 4.0 4.1 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. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  6. ↑ New Defence leadership team announced
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Its an Honour Binksin AO retrieved 14 June 2010
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Ministry of Defecnce Singapore, Meritorious Service Medal retrieved 24 January 2013
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Mark_Binskin&oldid=3393574"