Black Hawk 221 Board of Inquiry
CAPTAIN MARK BINGLEY
Born in Launceston Tasmania, Captain Mark Bingley enlisted in the Australian Army in 1990. He was 35 years of age.
On completion of recruit training, he served for several years as a Rifleman in the First Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), and was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 1997.
Mark was subsequently accepted for training as a helicopter pilot and finished dux of his class. On completion of his training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Aviation Corps in 1998.
During his service he flew helicopters for 5 Aviation Regiment in Australia and overseas, and undertook training in the USA.
Captain Bingley was posted to Townsville to 171 Aviation Squadron as a Qualified Flying Instructor on Black Hawk helicopters. He served in operations in East Timor, Cambodia and the Solomon Islands.
He was awarded the United Nations Medal for service in Cambodia and East Timor, the International Forces East Timor Medal, the Australian Active Service Medal, the Defence Long Service Medal and the Australian Defence Medal.
Captain Bingley was an extremely competent and highly regarded member of the Army’s aviation community and will be remembered as a dedicated pilot who had an infectious energy and a great sense of humour.
He is survived by his wife, Melissa and son, Mitchell.