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Record numbers of US Marines arrive in Darwin for six months of joint training

Updated 24 Apr 2018, 2:33pm

The largest contingent of US Marines to ever be stationed in the Northern Territory has arrived in Darwin to spend the next six months training alongside the Australian Defence Force.

It is the seventh rotation of US troops to Darwin, and the contingent has grown from 200 in 2012 to 1,587 this month.

The Americans will also bring a range of equipment, including eight Osprey aircraft and an artillery battery of six M777 Howitzers.

During the coming months, Royal Australian Navy captain Bryan Parker said each country would learn how the other operated, strengthening the long-standing military alliance between the two nations.

That knowledge could being critical if the personnel were ever required to respond in unison, particularly to situations in the Indo-Pacific.

“The Australia—America relationship is currently the strongest defence relationship that we have, and underpins peace and security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” Captain Parker said.

“It is extremely important for us to be able to work very closely together, to be able to understand each other’s techniques, our tactics and procedures, so that we can better perform when we respond to whatever’s required for us to be able to work together in the region.”

Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and other neighbouring countries have also been invited to take part in and observe 15 training exercises.

US Marine Corps Colonel James Schnelle said in the future he hoped more of these training exercises between multiple countries in the region would be launched.

“The hope is that in the future we’ll be able to do some more engagement activities with our regional partners,” he said.

“It’s incredibly important that we continue to build on the ties that exist and continue to take those to the next level.”

A US taskforce would soon be sent to the Townsville area for training, and another would be sent to the Rockhampton area.

Since arriving in Darwin, Colonel Schnelle said the troops had been offered a warm welcome.

“Everybody walked off the plane and it’s humid,” he said.

“It’s humid compared to what California was offering them. Those that came down from Okinawa, not as much of a difference in humidity, but the heat difference was substantial.”

And before getting to work, they were able to carve out time to get acquainted with the Territory’s wildlife, including a baby crocodile.

“The importance is they’re understanding the respect that you’ve got to have for those kinds of animals,” Colonel Schnelle said.

“That’s something that we will continue to drive home as we start to get out into the outback.”