2500 US marines giant boost to Darwin economy

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison said there are no short term plans to invite the US to extend the length of stay of Marine troop deployments to Darwin beyond six months.

2019 US Marine Rotational Force Darwin members welcome parade at Robertson Barracks. Picture: GARY SHIPWAY

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison said there are no short term plans to invite the US to extend the length of stay of Marine troop deployments to Darwin beyond six months.

Mr Morrison said the announcement that a further 800 US marines will join the current 1700 strong Marine Rotational Force-Darwin strike force in July was good news for the Top End economy.

He said having 2,500 US marines stationed in Darwin until the end of October would be a financial windfall for Darwin businesses.

“We are currently working to a six month rotation plan and will continue to work to that plan for now,” he said.

“We will continue to monitor and assess that and how that is working for both partners and we will work to make sure that it goes very well.

“The better we do on that, well let’s see what happens further down the track.”

Marine Rotational Force-Darwin Commanding Officer, United States Marine Colonel Russ Boyce said the importance of Darwin and having access to world class training opportunities in Darwin was not lost on his strike force.

“Units that are forward deployed across the Indo- Pacific are there for purposes of security and stability,” he said

“The US marine units that have deployed to Darwin from Hawaii and the west coast of the United States have trained and achieved a certain level of proficiency before they were able to even deploy.

“The other important aspect of the deployment is to be able to engage with regional partners. The whole Force posture initiative has identified Darwin as an important place to both posture and the Indo-Pacific engagement opportunities in the region.”

This year’s 8th US Marine Rotational Force Darwin will pack more air power than ever.

The air combat element will be made up of four AH-1Z Vipers, three UH-1Y Venoms, and 10 MV-22 Ospreys. The new rotation includes Marines from I and III Marine Expeditionary Force, and comprises an entire Marine air-ground task force.