US marines leave Darwin after successful MRF-D 2022

After a successful 11th annual stint, the US marines have bade farewell to Darwin. We reveal if and when they’ll be back.

The Yanks have bade farewell to the Northern Territory with the end of the 2022 Marine Rotational Force – Darwin.

The Territory hosted 2200 US military personnel in the MRF-D’s 11th rotation, which began in March, for the relationship strengthening exercise.

There were a multitude of activities undertaken this year, including Exercise Koolendong, a bilateral warfighting exercise held in the NT and Western Australia.

MRF-D Commanding Officer and regimental commander for the historic 5th Marine Regiment Colonel Chris Steele said the US and Australia were “committed to ensuring a secure, stable, and inclusive Indo-Pacific”.

“This year our marines and sailors participated in over a dozen multinational exercises and events, enhancing our partnerships with over 20 different nations, including great teammates like Australia, Indonesia, and Japan,” Colonel Steele said.

“Serving as the first regimental headquarters to lead MRF-D, we were able to further integrate two highly capable and interoperable forces, to demonstrate the strength and endurance of our alliance and posture the team to contribute to regional security.”

MRF-D 2023 is expected to begin next March.

A look back at MRF-D 2022

United States marines arrive at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory, as part of Marine Rotational Force Darwin 2022. Picture: LSIS Shane Cameron

United States Marines at Darwin’s Robertson Barracks. Picture: Glenn Campbell

United States Marines at Darwin'•s Robertson Barracks. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Commander of US military forces in the Indo-Pacific, Admiral John C. Aquilino meets ADF soldier Private Mason Dower at Darwin’s Robertson Barracks. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Picture: Glenn Campbell

Picture: Glenn Campbell

Commander of US military forces in the Indo-Pacific, Admiral John C. Aquilino meets ADF soldier Private Gaven Ihm at Darwin’s Robertson Barracks. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Children from Darwin, NT, Australia, watch U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22, march in a parade during the 107th Commemorative Service in honour of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day on April 25, 2022. Picture: Cpl. Cedar Barnes

US Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268 Reinforced, Aviation Combat Element (ACE), Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22, offload equipment from an MV-22 Osprey at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin. Picture: Cpl. Kayla D. Trevi

U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268 reinforced, Air Combat Element (ACE), Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22, fly in formation over Darwin, NT. Picture: Cpl. Cedar Barnes

United States marines arrive at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory, as part of Marine Rotational Force Darwin 2022. Picture: LSIS Shane Cameron

Two Australian Army Eurocopter Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters from 1st Aviation Regiment fly over United States Marines from Marine Rotational Force – Darwin during the Anzac Day 2022 march held in Palmerston, Northern Territory.

U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268 reinforced, Air Combat Element (ACE), Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22, fly over Darwin, NT, Australia. Picture: Cpl. Cedar Barnes