US Marines head home after six months down under

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 2024 has departed Australia, concluding the 13th annual rotation of United States Marine Corps (USMC) to northern Australia.

FILE PHOTO (30 July 2024): US Marine Corps Lance Corporal Eli Gregg, an assistant M3E1 multipurpose anti-armor anti-personnel weapon system gunner with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force –Darwin 24.3, assists Lance Corporal Ryan Waskosky, a MAAW gunner also with Fox Co. 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.), MRF-D 24.3, while firing a MAAW during a live-fire range as a part of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Juan Torres.

During this year’s deployment, approximately 2500 US military personnel conducted a comprehensive range of training activities with the ADF and regional partners, including humanitarian assistance, security operations and high-end, live-fire exercises.

Commander Headquarters Northern Command Captain Mitchell Livingstone said this iteration of MRF-D 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,” Captain Livingstone 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.”

MRF-D participation in exercises such as Southern Jackaroo, Bhakti Kanyini AusIndo, Super Garuda Shield and Pitch Black, as well as Operation Render Safe, demonstrated military interoperability between the USMC and ADF, as well as with regional partners.

Commanding Officer MRF-D 2024 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,” Colonel Mulvihill said.

“The bond with our Australian Defence Force brothers and sisters is as strong as it has ever been.

“Through interoperability with the Australian Defence Force, their professionalism and expertise have made our units more ready to contribute to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.”

Another contingent of USMC will return to the Northern Territory in early 2025 for the 14th MRF-D rotation, as part of the 25-year commitment established by the United States Force Posture Initiatives.

 

 

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