US Marines arrive in Darwin for ‘high-end live fire’ exercises

More than 2000 US Marines have landed in the Top End for seven months of training with Australian troops. Find out how it will benefit both nations.

The latest rotation of US Marines has touched down in Darwin as they prepare to join Australian soldiers in training in “humanitarian assistance, security operations, and high-end live fire exercises”.

The 2500 member strong Marine Rotational Force-Darwin will spend the next seven months working closely with their Australian counterparts as well as other partner nations from around the region.

It comes on the back of last week’s announcement of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the US continued to be Australia’s “most vital security partner”.

“The strength of our alliance highlights our joint commitment to promoting a secure, stable, and inclusive Indo-Pacific,” he said.

“Our co-operation with the US has been instrumental to enhance the capability and interoperability of both nations through joint exercises and activities.

Up to 2500 United States Marines have begun arriving in the Northern Territory as part of the 12th rotation of the Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D).

Members of the United States Marine Corps arrive at RAAF Base Darwin as part of the 12th iteration of the Marine Rotational Force Darwin.

“Australia-US force posture co-operation will continue to offer significant investment into Australia, including opportunities for Australian industry.”

MRF-D commanding officer Colonel Brendan Sullivan said his team was “postured and ready to advance shared goals, demonstrate the strength and endurance of our alliance and contribute to regional security and partnerships”.

Commander Headquarters Northern Command, Captain Mitchell Livingstone, CSC, RAN, greets Marine Rotational Force Darwin Executive Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Lisa Cordonnier after arriving at RAAF Base Darwin as part of the arrival of the 12th rotation of the Marine Rotational Force Darwin.

“We are honoured to extend the legacy of the US-Australian Alliance, working side-by-side with our ADF partners to provide support for contingencies and crises in the region,” he said.

Northern command headquarters commanding officer Captain Mitchell Livingstone said having the marine rotation in the Top End would “help build interoperability between the ADF and the US”.

“(It) also serves to increase regional co-operation with partner nations in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

“Over the next six months, the Australian Defence Force and US Marine Corps will conduct a comprehensive range of training activities including humanitarian assistance, security operations, and high-end live fire exercises, all of which better prepare our forces to respond effectively to contingencies that may arise,” he said.