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Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, AC will be replaced by Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC, who will be promoted to General prior to the parade.
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Commencing his appointment as the Chief of the Defence Force on 1 July 2014, ACM Binskin began his military career as member of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Air Arm.
In 1982, Binskin was selected as the first RAN pilot to undergo a pilot exchange training program with the RAAF to fly Mirage III, prior to transferring to the RAAF in 1984.
His command appointments include Commanding Officer of No 77 Squadron at Williamtown, Commander of Air Combat Group (F/A-18, F-111, Hawk and PC9-A(F)) and later as Air Commander Australia. Air Chief Marshal Binskin's flying qualifications include fighter combat instructor and tactical reconnaissance pilot.
Additionally, he has served as the RAAF F/A-18 Hornet Demonstration Pilot. He has over 3,500 hours in single-seat fighter aircraft.
Air Chief Marshal Binskin has served in various joint staff positions including Staff Officer to the Chief of Defence Force and in the Defence Materiel Organisation as Officer Commanding the Airborne Early Warning and Control System Program Office. During Australia's 2003 contribution to the war in Iraq, Air Chief Marshal Binskin served as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Australian Theatre.
Following this, he served as the Director of the US Central Air Force Combined Air and Space Operations Centre where he was responsible for the conduct of coalition air operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (ADF operations CATALYST and SLIPPER). For this service he was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service.
Air Chief Marshal Binskin was Chief of the Air Force from 2008-2011, Vice Chief of the Defence Force from 2011-14 and was appointed as Chief of the Defence Force on 30 June 2014.
Incoming CDF, General Angus Campbell joined the Australian Army in 1981, graduating from the Royal Military College – Duntroon in 1984. He was assigned to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and initially served as a platoon commander in the 3rd Battalion (Parachute), The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR).
He then served in troop and squadron command appointments within the Special Air Service Regiment. In 2001, General Campbell was appointed the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR). While in command, the battalion group deployed to East Timor as a component of the United Nations Transitional Administration East Timor.
In late 2005, he joined the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet as a First Assistant Secretary to head the Office of National Security and was subsequently promoted to Deputy Secretary and appointed to the position of Deputy National Security Adviser. In these roles he was responsible for the preparation of advice to the Prime Minister on national security matters and co-ordinating the development of whole-of-government national security policy.
Upon his return to the Australian Defence Force in early 2010 he was appointed to the rank of Major General and led the Military Strategic Commitments staff in Defence headquarters until January 2011, when he assumed command of Australian forces deployed in the Middle East Area of Operations. He subsequently served as Deputy Chief of Army from February 2012 to September 2013, when he was promoted to Lieutenant General to command the Joint Agency Task Force responsible for the implementation of Operation Sovereign Borders.
GEN Campbell was appointed Chief of the Australian Army on 16 May 2015. In April 2018, the government announced his appointment as Chief of Defence Force from July 2018.
GEN Campbell holds a bachelor of science (honours) from the University of New South Wales, a master of philosophy in international relations from Cambridge University and is a graduate of the Australian Army Command and Staff College.
The parade will feature Australia's Federation Guard, a didgeridoo performance, an F/A-18 Hornet flypast and a 17-gun salute.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
