Defence Leaders: Air Force
Air Vice-Marshal Mark Skidmore
Air Commander Australia (ACAUST)
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Air Vice-Marshal Mark Skidmore was born in Kowloon, Hong Kong and joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1977. He successfully completed Number 113 Pilots Course and was posted to Number 1 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley to fly F-111s.
Following his tour on F-111s, Air Vice-Marshal Skidmore undertook the United States Navy Test Pilot School Fixed Wing course in 1985. At the completion of the course he was posted to the Aircraft Research and Development Unit, RAAF Base Edinburgh, where he flew F-111, Mirage, MB-326H, CT-4A and Dakota aircraft.
In 1989, Air Vice-Marshal Skidmore returned to RAAF Base Amberley and completed tours at Number 1 Squadron as the Operational Flight Commander and Number 82 Wing as the Operations Officer. This was followed by a posting as the Flight Test Director on the F-111C Avionics Update Program in California, USA. Returning to Australia in 1996, he served as the Staff Officer Operational Systems at Headquarters Air Command, RAAF Base Glenbrook, before resigning from the RAAF in March 1998. Air Vice-Marshal Skidmore joined Aerospace Technical Services in 1998 as the Senior Test Pilot and Business Development Executive, positions he maintained following the company’s acquisition in 1999 by Raytheon Systems Company
Air Vice-Marshal Skidmore rejoined the RAAF in 2000 and completed the Defence Staff Course at Weston Creek before being posted again to the Aircraft Research and Development Unit, this time as the Commander. From 2003 he was Director of Operational Requirements for the New Air Combat Capability project.
Prior to assuming the position of Joint Force Air Component Commander in 2005 he attended the Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the Australian Defence College, Weston Creek. During 2005 he was deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations where he served as the Director Combined Air Operations Centre. For this service he was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service in the 2007 Australia Day Honours List.
Air Vice-Marshal Skidmore was appointed to his current position as the Air Commander on 27 June 2008. In this position he provides specialist air advice on raise, train and sustain issues to the joint environment.
Air Vice-Marshal Skidmore is married to Caroline and they have two children, Nicole and Thomas.