2020 marks a decade since crucial military initiatives began
THIS year marks 10 years since the United States Force Posture Initiatives were announced by Australia and the United States and US Marines became regular visitors to the Top End
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THIS year marks 10 years since the United States Force Posture Initiatives were announced by Australia and the United States and US Marines became regular participants in military defence exercises in the Top End.
It is a relationship that has stood the test of time and US presidents and Australian prime ministers.
OTHER NT NEWS EDITORIALS
Matt Cunningham: Hot spot science broken
We have earned our fireworks, so let’s keep COVID out
Don’t go over-the-top with border closures
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic only 1200 Marines were able to train through the dry season with ADF at defence facilities across the Top End last year. This year that number is 2200, which reinforces the strategic importance to the US of A’s sizeable strike force’s presence and the importance of it conducting meaningful military exercises in Darwin.
The rotation is a core part of developing the US and Australia’s ability to work with alliance partners through increased military-to-military engagement with Indo Pacific nations.
Enhancing interoperability across maritime, land and air domains and building stronger relationships between the Australian Defence Force and the United States Marine Corps sends a message of caution to those to our far north who may want to increase their influence on our region.
$1 FOR ALL YOUR NEWS? HERE’S HOW: Sign up now to our amazing deal of $1 for 28 days
It is another reason the US has announced the return of the First Fleet and a permanent strong naval presence in the Indo Pacific region. We now wait to see what the US/Darwin relationship brings with the new Biden administration.
Maiden: Albo dumbstruck twice as Trump’s Gaza bombshell explodes
For the second time this week, the Prime Minister has tried to talk his way around an elephant in the room, writes Samantha Maiden.
Downer: Two weeks of dramatic Donald. What have we learned?
None of us like all of his polices but you can’t deny the new US president has made an energetic start to his second term, writes Alexander Downer.