Army - The Soldiers' Newspaper

Two of our best lost in tragedy
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006

Embarked Forces and HMAS Kanimbla personnel came together for a moving service of reflection for Capt Mark Bingley, 171 Avn Sqn, and Tpr Joshua Porter, SASR, on Kanimbla on December 7, a week after the Black Hawk accident in which the two men were lost.

EMBARKED Forces on HMAS Kanimbla took a pause in their operational preparedness schedule on December 7, a week after the loss of two of their mates in the Black Hawk tragedy off Fiji.

In a simple ceremony, members of SOCOMD, 171 Avn Sqn and the ship’s crew remembered the good times they had with Capt Mark Bingley and Tpr Joshua Porter.

The two men were exemplary soldiers who both at one point served as snipers with 1RAR before their careers took different paths – Capt Bingley’s into aviation and Tpr Porter’s into the SASR.

HMAS Kanimbla was stopped in international waters near Fiji when the accident occurred on November 29.

The 171 Avn Sqn Black Hawk had a crew of four and was carrying six SASR soldiers training for the possibility of evacuating Australian nationals from Fiji.

Divers who had been undergoing training were able to immediately re-enter the water to assist in the recovery of the survivors.

Nine personnel were recovered – including Capt Bingley, but he later died from his injuries – and search and rescue operations began immediately for Tpr Porter.

CDF ACM Angus Houston described both soldiers as extremely competent and highly regarded among the aviation and Special Forces communities.

ACM Houston said Capt Bingley was “a dedicated pilot who had an infectious energy and a great sense of humour”. He said Tpr Porter would be remembered “as a resourceful and courageous Special Forces soldier who had a promising future in what is an extremely challenging profession”.

Capt Bingley, originally from Tasmania, and Tpr Porter, from NSW, enlisted in the Army in 1990 and 2000 respectively.

ACM Houston said the soldiers would be sorely missed by their colleagues and the broader Defence community, and offered his condolences to the wives, family and friends of the two men.

Pilot a wonderful man
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
By Cpl Mike McSweeney

Family man: Capt Mark Bingley with his wife, Melissa, and their son, Mitchell.

Service: Capt Bingley’s coffin is carried from the church at his funeral in Townsville.
Photo by Cpl Hamish Paterson

A LONE hawk circled in a thermal above the burial service at Belgian Gardens Cemetery in Townsville on December 8.

It persisted through the 21-gun salute, and only when a trio of Black Hawks flew past in Missing Man formation did it give way.

Earlier at the service at St James Cathedral for Capt Mark Bingley, CO 171 Avn Sqn Lt-Col Steve Clynk told how the survivors of the Black Hawk crash hailed Capt Bingley’s abilities as a pilot.

“They told me that he was their pilot of choice and they always enjoyed flying with him,” Lt-Col Clynk said.

Senior Government and Defence officials attended the service, including Minister Assisting the Defence Minister Bruce Billson, CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy and LCAust Maj-Gen Mark Kelly.

After the accident, Melissa Bingley described her husband as a wonderful man and a wonderful father to their baby son.

“He felt Mitchell was his greatest achievement and he was very proud of his son,” Mrs Bingley said.

“We had a wonderful time together as a couple … he always made me feel important.

“Mark was an amazing pilot who wanted to fly from the moment he was born – everything he did was aimed at becoming a pilot.”

A sniper corporal at 1RAR, Capt Bingley was accepted into helicopter pilot training and commissioned in 1998.

“He loved the military and the opportunities it opened up to him,” Mrs Bingley said.

Capt Bingley was initially posted to 5 Avn Regt, undertook training in the US and served on operations in Timor-Leste, Cambodia and the Solomon Islands.

“He took great pride in being appointed a qualified flying instructor and enjoyed providing assistance to the younger pilots,” Mrs Bingley said.

She said Capt Bingley knew the risks of being a helicopter pilot but he felt the Black Hawk was a very safe helicopter.

“In my heart, I know he did everything possible for his crew, his passengers and his aircraft to keep them as safe as possible to ensure their survival.”

An oustanding person
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006

Absolute love: Tpr Josh Porter and his wife, Carinna

TPR Josh Porter’s peers have described ‘Ports’ as one of the organisation’s great all-rounders.

“Josh was one of those completely dependable and reliable soldiers who through his infectious personality and outward calmness helped those around him to remain relaxed in the most testing circumstances,” one of his Patrol members said.

“His consistent approach and attitude was a reflection of his personal endurance and his larrikin style of humility was far outweighed by his natural ability.

“We will all remember Ports as a funny bloke who loved his family, his sports, his mates and a beer.”

Tpr Porter was posted to SASR in May 2005 after completing the selection course in 2004.

From the moment he arrived in the unit he made an impression among his fellow soldiers.

Tpr Porter’s Patrol Commander recalled a keen, newly arrived soldier who spent hours quizzing other SASR members about their operational experiences as soon as he marched into 1 SAS Sqn.

“Josh rapidly obtained an envious reputation for his professionalism, work ethic and humility and a high degree of respect for his level of fitness and pursuit for perfection,” his Patrol Commander said.

“Josh was also extremely humble and could always find something to joke and laugh about – in rigorous and testing circumstances he maintained his sense of humour and jovial perspective on all aspects of his environment.

“He had that ability to make others comfortable in awkward circumstances and could turn even the most unnerving environments into something to laugh at.

“He was ever the optimist and always maintained the view that what we did as a unit and a nation were for the right reasons.”

His Patrol Commander also highlighted Tpr Porter’s obvious love for his wife, Carinna.

“Josh will be remembered for his overt and absolute love and devotion for Carinna more that anything else,” the Patrol Commander said.

“This love and his anticipation of being a father were the overarching priorities in his life.”

Tpr Porter came from a large family in the small town of Chain Valley Bay, south of Newcastle.

Within the town, and SASR, he was renowned as an excellent cricketer and all-round sportsman who had the uncanny ability to excel at anything he turned his hand to.

Tpr Porter had recently returned from an operational tour of southern Afghanistan with the Special Forces Task Group. The task group was recently awarded the Unit Citation for Gallantry for its actions in combat.

In his previous service with 1RAR he also deployed on operations to East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

“He enjoyed his job and achieved an outstanding reputation for his qualities as a soldier,” his Patrol Commander said. “We lost Josh doing what he enjoyed and he will be sorely missed by all who have known him.”