Defence News 2008
New Defence leadership team announced - 19 March 2008
Air Vice-Marshal Mark Binskin
19 March 2008
Air Vice-Marshal Mark Binskin was born in Sydney in 1960. He 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 Nowra, NSW. He served in VC724 and VF805 Squadrons and in January 1982 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 joined the RAAF.
Air Vice-Marshal Binskin's other flying tours include No 2 Operational Conversion Unit and No 77 Squadron at Williamtown, NSW flying Mirage and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft; with the United States Navy at VFA-125 at Lemoore, California training on F/A-18 aircraft; with the United States Air Force at 314 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, USAF at Luke AFB Arizona instructing on F-16C aircraft; and No 75 Squadron at Tindal, Northern Territory flying F/A-18 aircraft. He was the Commanding Officer of No 77 Squadron at Williamtown during the period 1998-99 and later Commander of Air Combat Group (F/A-18, F-111, Hawk and PC9-A(F)) in 2004-05.
Air Vice-Marshal 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. He has over 3,500 hours in single-seat fighter aircraft. He was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his performance as a Fighter Combat Instructor and the RAAF F/A 18 Display Pilot.
Air Vice-Marshal Binskin has served in various joint and single service staff positions including Headquarters Australian Defence Force as Deputy Director Airspace Control and as Staff Officer to the Chief of Defence Force; in the Defence Materiel Organisation as Officer Commanding the Airborne Early Warning and Control System Program Office; and in Air Force Headquarters as Director General Performance Management Audit and Director General Capability Planning.
During Australia's 2003 contribution to the war in Iraq, Air Vice-Marshal Binskin served as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Australian Theatre. Following this, he served as the first dedicated non-USAF 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 this service he was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service.
Air Vice-Marshal Binskin is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, Australian Institute of Company Directors and RAAF Command and Staff Course where he was awarded the Chief of Staff's Prize for Professional Excellence.
Air Vice-Marshal Binskin was appointed to his current position as the Air Commander Australia on 26 July 2007. In this position he provides specialist air advice on raise, train, and sustain issues to the joint environment.
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