USMC sailors commemorate Anzac Day in Darwin. Photo: ADF.
The last of about 2500 United State Marine Corps (USMC) troops to be stationed in Darwin have departed Australia for home soil after their six-month deployment in the Top End.
The 13th iteration of the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) arrived in late March and early April for their six-month deployment to the region, during which they participated in several major exercises, and assisted in humanitarian assistance missions.
The Federal Government describes the Australia–US alliance as “our most important defence relationship”, one that is central to Australia’s strategic and security arrangements.
MRF-D was established under the Gillard and Obama administrations as part of the growing US Force Posture Initiatives (USFPI) in the region.
It says the MRF-D deployment helps maintain a secure and resilient region, strengthens interoperability between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the USMC, and provides a platform for regional engagement.
MRF-D is a continuation of a relationship that commenced in World War II when the MRF-D’s parent unit – the 1st Marine Division – trained in Melbourne, leading to that unit adopting Waltzing Matilda as their battle hymn.
The ADF’s Commander Headquarters Northern Command Captain Mitchell Livingstone said this iteration was an outstanding success in terms of the number of collective aims met.
“The time the USMC spends in the Top End is an extremely busy period in terms of the number of complex and challenging exercises they participate in,” he said.
“2024 was no exception and, as we farewell this rotation of marines, we look forward to welcoming the next rotation when it arrives in early 2025.
“Through MRF-D and the various other US Force Posture Initiatives, the ADF and our partner nations continue to contribute to peace, prosperity, and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
A USMC MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor participates in Operation Render Safe in the Solomon Islands. Photo: ADF.
Some of the exercises the MRF-D participated in included Southern Jackaroo with Japan and Australia, Bhakti Kanyini, AusIndo and Super Garuda Shield with Indonesia and Australia, Pitch Black with more than 20 participating nations, and Operation Render Safe – Australia’s ongoing mission to dispose of unexploded World War II ordnance in the Pacific.
Commanding Officer MRF-D Colonel Brian Mulvihill said the time marines and sailors spent in Darwin was rewarding both professionally and personally.
“The Australian people have welcomed us like family, and our training with the Australian Defence Force has been tough and realistic, which has enhanced our unit readiness,” he said.
“The bond with our ADF brothers and sisters is as strong as it has ever been.
“Through interoperability with the ADF, their professionalism and expertise have made our units more ready to contribute to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific,” he added.
