Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia

Air Vice-Marshal Mark Binskin

24 March 2004

Air Vice-Marshal Mark Binskin, currently Air Commander Australia for the RAAF, will be promoted to the rank of Air Marshal and appointed as the new Chief of Air Force.

He comes from a naval background. He joined the Fleet Air Arm in May 1978 and on completion of flying training was posted to fly A-4G Skyhawk aircraft at HMAS Albatross, Nowra.

He served in VC724 and VF805 Squadrons and in January 1982 was selected as the first RAN pilot to undergo an exchange with the RAAF flying Mirage 111 aircraft. On completion of this exchange and with the disbanding of the Navy's fixed wing capability, he joined the RAAF.

Pictured at right on the OFS No.14 course in 1980, from left: MIDN Paul Kalade, Dave Baddams, ASLT Eamon Lines, MIDN Mark Binskin and LEUT Rob Bradshaw RN (exchange).

His new appointment was one of several announced by the Defence Minister, Joel Fitzgibbon, on March 20, with all to take effect from July 4 this year. The other announcements included:

• Rear Admiral Russell Crane, presently the Deputy Chief of Navy, will be promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed as the new Chief of Navy;
• Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, who has served as the Chief of Navy for three years and before that he was the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, will retire from his position.

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