Amazing career - outgoing CDF Mark Binny Binskin
Jul 9, 2018 13:38:53 GMT 12
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Post by mcmaster on Jul 9, 2018 13:38:53 GMT 12
www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/
FEELING the rush of power that comes with flying a Hornet is etched into the psyche of outgoing CDF ACM Mark Binskin.
“Being able to get in the Hornet and fly that aircraft to its maximum capability is one of those great memories that will never leave me,” he said.
“It’s a good adrenaline rush, but you’re operating in a professional force where everyone is there because they want to be – it’s a really tight-knit group that delivers to the highest levels possible.
“I know there are other areas in the ADF that are exactly the same, but that’s the one I got a chance to experience.” ACM Binskin’s final day as CDF was on July 6, rounding out a 40-year career that included a brief stint flying Navy A-4G Skyhawk fighters from the deck of aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne.
When it was decided to decommission Melbourne, ACM Binskin was on exchange with Air Force, where he decided to stay and fly Mirages then Hornets.
“I’m proud of the fact I served in the Navy as well as the Air Force.
Except for some of the aviation capabilities in the Army, it probably wasn’t the service for me,” he said.
“Though I would like to have flown the Tiger.” A transfer to Air Force proved beneficial to ACM Binskin, who rose to become CAF and VCDF before landing the top job in 2014.
Becoming CDF was not the most likely path a career in Navy aviation would have taken him. “I would have probably had to broaden from an aircrew specialisation and gone into more general Navy service to be able to get to CDF,” he said.
“But it would be one of those parallel universes that I would never be able to figure out even if I sat down and thought about it for a while.” ACM Binskin was particularly proud of overseeing the creation of Defence Signals Intelligence and Cyber Command during his tenure.
“The military side of cyber is something I really wanted to progress,” he said.
“Pulling together those in uniform and making it a proper capability in the ADF; making it a proper weapon system.
“Cyber affects everyone. You, your bank account and social media, right through to high-end operations.
“If you don’t understand the cyber domain and have the agility to work there, you’re not going to run successful operations into the future.”
Landing on an aircraft carrier wasn’t the toughest challenge ACM Binskin faced in his military career.
“Early on in my flying career having mates killed in accidents was always very hard,” he said.
“There was also a period in Afghanistan that was particularly difficult. Even now I see reports and it makes me stop and think.
“For everyone we lose, there are grieving families involved there and the circumstances are often quite complex. As the Chief you feel responsible for everyone and you do take it personally.” While ACM Binskin feels each service death deeply, he will remember his mates and people performing at their best.
“I’ve made some fantastic friends and a lot have become just as close as family,” he said.
“When you go out on operations you see the men and women doing what they really want to do.
“You can see the high morale, they’re always proud to show you what they’re doing and what they’re achieving.
“That’s the part I’ll miss the most.” Following a holiday with his wife, ACM Binskin plans on a motorbike tour of Australia, but he left some parting advice for young personnel aspiring to reach CDF.
“The Defence Force does a fantastic job of progressing people through, giving people opportunities to develop and lead,” he said.
“Look at where you want to go and help shape that, but you need to focus on the job you’re doing at the time and do the best you can at it.
FEELING the rush of power that comes with flying a Hornet is etched into the psyche of outgoing CDF ACM Mark Binskin.
“Being able to get in the Hornet and fly that aircraft to its maximum capability is one of those great memories that will never leave me,” he said.
“It’s a good adrenaline rush, but you’re operating in a professional force where everyone is there because they want to be – it’s a really tight-knit group that delivers to the highest levels possible.
“I know there are other areas in the ADF that are exactly the same, but that’s the one I got a chance to experience.” ACM Binskin’s final day as CDF was on July 6, rounding out a 40-year career that included a brief stint flying Navy A-4G Skyhawk fighters from the deck of aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne.
When it was decided to decommission Melbourne, ACM Binskin was on exchange with Air Force, where he decided to stay and fly Mirages then Hornets.
“I’m proud of the fact I served in the Navy as well as the Air Force.
Except for some of the aviation capabilities in the Army, it probably wasn’t the service for me,” he said.
“Though I would like to have flown the Tiger.” A transfer to Air Force proved beneficial to ACM Binskin, who rose to become CAF and VCDF before landing the top job in 2014.
Becoming CDF was not the most likely path a career in Navy aviation would have taken him. “I would have probably had to broaden from an aircrew specialisation and gone into more general Navy service to be able to get to CDF,” he said.
“But it would be one of those parallel universes that I would never be able to figure out even if I sat down and thought about it for a while.” ACM Binskin was particularly proud of overseeing the creation of Defence Signals Intelligence and Cyber Command during his tenure.
“The military side of cyber is something I really wanted to progress,” he said.
“Pulling together those in uniform and making it a proper capability in the ADF; making it a proper weapon system.
“Cyber affects everyone. You, your bank account and social media, right through to high-end operations.
“If you don’t understand the cyber domain and have the agility to work there, you’re not going to run successful operations into the future.”
Landing on an aircraft carrier wasn’t the toughest challenge ACM Binskin faced in his military career.
“Early on in my flying career having mates killed in accidents was always very hard,” he said.
“There was also a period in Afghanistan that was particularly difficult. Even now I see reports and it makes me stop and think.
“For everyone we lose, there are grieving families involved there and the circumstances are often quite complex. As the Chief you feel responsible for everyone and you do take it personally.” While ACM Binskin feels each service death deeply, he will remember his mates and people performing at their best.
“I’ve made some fantastic friends and a lot have become just as close as family,” he said.
“When you go out on operations you see the men and women doing what they really want to do.
“You can see the high morale, they’re always proud to show you what they’re doing and what they’re achieving.
“That’s the part I’ll miss the most.” Following a holiday with his wife, ACM Binskin plans on a motorbike tour of Australia, but he left some parting advice for young personnel aspiring to reach CDF.
“The Defence Force does a fantastic job of progressing people through, giving people opportunities to develop and lead,” he said.
“Look at where you want to go and help shape that, but you need to focus on the job you’re doing at the time and do the best you can at it.
