United States Marines have arrived in the Northern Territory as part of the 13th rotation of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D).
The United States is Australia’s principal strategic partner and cooperation between our two countries is central to achieving stability and prosperity within our region.
During the eight-month rotation, United States Marines will conduct combined training exercises across a number of scenarios with Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel.
Since its first rotation in 2012, MRF-D has grown in size and complexity. Nations including Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have either taken part in or observed MRF-D training.
The 2024 MRF-D rotation will continue to enhance the capabilities, interoperability and readiness of the ADF and the United States Marine Corps, alongside our partners, and is a significant part of Australia’s force posture cooperation with the United States, a hallmark of our alliance.
For more than a decade, force posture cooperation has enhanced Australia’s capacity to deter coercion and maintain a secure and stable Indo-Pacific.
The United States Marines will remain in Australia until October 2024.
