An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Team Scott holds memorial service for AFNIC Airman

  • Published
  • By By Col. Frederick Arrendale
  • Air Force Network Integration Center
Scott Air Force Base --  Friends and co-workers from the Air Force Network Integration Center, the 375th Air Mobility Wing, and the greater Scott Air Force Base community gathered Feb. 18 in Hangar 3 to celebrate the life of Maj. Mark Binkowski, who died Feb. 12 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

During the memorial service, Col. John Odey, AFNIC commander, spoke about "this extraordinary Airman and former Marine who touched the lives of those he led and those with whom he served, through 23 years of service and multiple overseas tours in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East."

Colonel Odey said that Major Binkowski lived a life marked by superlatives. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1980 and quickly rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, mastering his chosen career field of intelligence while exercising resourcefulness and inspirational professionalism.

After eight years as a Marine, he left the Corps for "the challenges of industry" and completed his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, graduating magna cum laude. He returned to service by commissioning into the Air Force in 1995.

During his time in the Air Force, Major Binkowski was twice awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Award, was named the Air Force Communications Agency Field Grade Officer of the Year in 2008, was named the U.S. Transportation Command's Company Grade Officer of the Year Worldwide in 2005, and was the Air Mobility Command CGO of the Year for all of Europe in 2002. He was nominated for the Bronze Star for bravery under fire by the U.S. Army while serving at Camp Slayer in Baghdad, Iraq and was set to deploy again to Iraq in October 2009 before learning that he had cancer. Prior to his death, he served as Chief of Coalition Networks Integration for AFNIC.

During the ceremony, Major Binkowski was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Colonel Odey also presented letters of appreciation and family medals to the major's wife, children and parents, which honored the major's time in service.
Members of the Honor Guard, who performed a flag folding ceremony and flag presentation to the family, included Marine Sgt. Kallena Craig, from USTRANSCOM, as a symbolic reminder of the major's service in the Marine Corps. The Honor Guard also performed a 21-gun salute with shell casings presented to the children and performed the playing of Taps.

On display during the memorial were Major Binkowski's boots--symbolic of the many miles he had traveled, his helmet--signifying the intellect and experience he gained, and a bear, which he took on all deployments as a reminder of home.

Surviving are his wife of 26 years, Lisanne Lavoie, his daughter, Anaïs, his son, Jack, his father and mother, Thomas and Peggy Binkowski of Ferndale, Mich., and two brothers, Kraig and Keith Binkowski and their families.

Major Binkowski gifted his body to St. Louis University School of Medicine as his final act of service.