Mark Binskin

Air Chief Marshal Mark Donald Binskin, AC (born 20 March 1960) is a former senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. He served as Chief of Air Force (2008–11), Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2011–14), and Chief of the Defence Force from June 2014 until his retirement in July 2018. In February 2020 he was appointed as a Commissioner and Chairman of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.

Mark Binskin
Binskin in April 2018
Born	20 March 1960 Sydney
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Royal Australian Navy (1978–84) Royal Australian Air Force (1984–2018)
Years of service	1978–2018
Rank	Air Chief Marshal
Commands held	Chief of the Defence Force (2014–18) Vice Chief of Defence Force (2011–14) Chief of Air Force (2008–11) RAAF Air Command (2007–08) Air Combat Group (2004–05) No. 77 Squadron (1998–99)
Battles/wars	Iraq War Operation Catalyst
Awards	Companion of the Order of Australia Commendation for Distinguished Service Gugseon Medal of the Order of National Security Merit (South Korea) Distinguished Service Order (Singapore) Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore) Commander of the Legion of Honour (France) Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands) Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Military Service (Malaysia) Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States)
Other work	Commissioner and Chair of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements

Early life

Binskin was born on 20 March 1960 in Sydney and grew up in Campbelltown, New South Wales. He attended Campbelltown Public School, and 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, dancing and motorcycle riding.[2]

Honours and awards

	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	26 January 2005[4]
	Australian Active Service Medal	with 2 Clasps "IRAQ 2003" and "ICAT"
	Iraq Medal
	Defence Force Service Medal with federation star	40–44 years service
	Australian Defence Medal
	Gugseon Medal of the Order of National Security Merit (South Korea)	2010
	Distinguished Service Order (Singapore)	21 August 2017[13]
	Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore)	8 June 2010.[14]
	Commander of the Legion of Honour (France)	April 2017
	Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France)	January 2015
	Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands)	19 May 2017[15]
	Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Military Service (Malaysia)	14 October 2017[16]
	Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States)	18 June 2018

References

1. Gharahkani, Soraiya (16 April 2008). "Flying high". Cambelltown Macarthur Advertiser. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
2. "Chief of Air Force". raaf.gov.au. 2009. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
3. 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. 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. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
6. New Defence leadership team announced
7. It's an Honour Binksin AO retrieved 14 June 2010
8. "Chief of Air Force: Air Marshal Mark Binskin". Leaders. Royal Australian Air Force. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
9. "New Chiefs for the Australian Defence Force". Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 1 June 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
10. "Companion (AC) in the Military Division of the Order of Australia" (PDF). Australia Day 2014 Honours Lists. Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
11. AAP (4 July 2014). "Air Marshal Mark Binskin has been announced as the new head of the Australian defence force". SBS News. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
12. "Chief of Defence Force change of command". Defence Media Release. Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
13. Ministry of Defence Singapore, Distinguished Service Order retrieved 24 November 2017
14. Ministry of Defence Singapore, Meritorious Service Medal retrieved 24 January 2013
15. Australian Embassy in the Netherlands, Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau retrieved 24 November 2017
16. New Straits Times, King confers 549 Armed Forces warrior awards retrieved 24 November 2017

External links

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