Mark Binskin
| Mark Donald Binskin | |
|---|---|
Air Marshal Mark Binskin in March 2010
|
|
| Born |
20 March 1960 Sydney |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch |
Royal Australian Navy (1978–84) Royal Australian Air Force (1984–) |
| Years of service | 1978 – present |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands held |
Chief of the Defence Force (2014–) 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 | |
| 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 and the current Chief of the Australian Defence Force. He previously served as Chief of Air Force (2008–11) and Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2011–14), before he was promoted to air chief marshal and appointed to his current command in June 2014.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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