MRF-D – CONTACT magazine

United States Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from Marine Rotational Force - Darwin onboard HMAS Canberra during force-integration training Exercise Capital Reach off the coast of Queensland. Photo by Lieutenant Peter Allen.

Aussie/US force-integration on HMAS Canberra

04/09/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 471 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, MRF-D

HMAS Canberra has completed Exercise Capital Reach, a major force integration activity involving more than 350 United States Marines from Marine Rotational

A United States Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from the Marine Rotational Force - Darwin lands on board HMAS Canberra as part of a force integration training exercise off Queensland, Australia. Photo by Lieutenant Peter Allen.

MRF-D News Royal Australian Navy

Osprey lands on HMAS Canberra

08/08/202608/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 586 Views 1 Comment

US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft from the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) recently undertook force integration training with

HMAS Sydney fires the Royal Australian Navy’s first Naval Strike Missile off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii as a part of Exercise RIMPAC 2024. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

ADF Australian Army Cyber MRF-D News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Space Division

Defence prepares for new National Defence Strategy

15/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 961 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force

A bigger, stronger and more lethal Defence Force is better placed to defend Australia and its interests, according to Chief

The Tunnel display at the More, Together Awards and Summit Awards at a previous Australian Defence Science Technology and Research Summit. Story by Rachelle Todd. Photo by Navin Chandra.

ADF Australian Army Cyber MRF-D News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Space Division

ADSTAR summit to focus on accelerating capability

27/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 449 Views 0 Comments

Leading researchers, industry partners and defence specialists are preparing for the 2026 Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) Summit.

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.

MRF-D News

US Marines head home after six months down under

03/11/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2433 Views 0 Comments MRF-D

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

ADF MRF-D News

Major upgrades at Nackeroo complete

06/06/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2668 Views 0 Comments

Australia and the United States will now have greater training opportunities in northern Australia after the completion of upgrades to

The names of those killed in the MV-22 Osprey crash in the Tiwi Islands are: Cpl. Spencer R. Collart, 21, of Arlington, Virginia, MV-22B Osprey crew chief. Capt. Eleanor V. LeBeau, 29, of Belleville, Illinois, MV-22B Osprey pilot. Maj. Tobin J. Lewis, 37, of Jefferson, Colorado, Executive Officer of VMM-363.

MRF-D News

Three Marines killed in NT Osprey crash

27/08/202329/08/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4021 Views 0 Comments MV-22 Osprey crash

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin has confirmed that a US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey crash on Melville Island, north of

Abrams tanks and United States Marines engage targets during Exercise Diamond Strike 2018. Photo by Corporal Oliver Carter.

Australian Army MRF-D News

Aussie soldiers and US Marines injured in two vehicle rollovers

28/06/202328/06/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3161 Views 1 Comment Diamond Strike, MRF-D

Defence has confirmed that three Australian soldiers and three US Marines were taken to hospital on Tuesday 27 June after

Members of the United States Marine Corps arrive at RAAF Base Darwin as part of the 12th iteration of the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarrod Mulvihill.

MRF-D News

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2023 begins

22/03/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3607 Views 0 Comments MRF-D

The advance party for this year’s rotation of United States Marines have arrived in the Northern Territory. CAPTION: Members of

Australian Army Japan MRF-D News

Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2022 begins

10/05/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2925 Views 0 Comments Exercise Southern Jackaroo

Hundreds of Australian soldiers, troops from the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) and US Marines have started a major

US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268 reinforced Air Combat Element of the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22 are staged for Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment inspection at Darwin Port, NT after delivery by sea. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Cameron Hermanet.

MRF-D News

MRF-D 22s aviation support established in Darwin

17/04/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4220 Views 0 Comments MRF-D

The Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) Aviation Combat Element (ACE) has arrived in Darwin. CAPTION: US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from

US Marines with the Command Element, 5th Marine Regiment, MRF-D 22 offload a Boeing 777 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, NT, Australia, 12 March 2022. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Cedar Barnes.

MRF-D News

2022 Marine Rotational Force – Darwin begins

14/03/202214/03/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3902 Views 0 Comments MRF-D

The first batch of US Marines posted to the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin for 2022 touched down in Darwin

Leading Aircraftman Aaron Kouyoumtzoglou and Staff Sergeant Dustin Sheffield lock wire a fuel filter during the Enhanced Air Cooperation third phase as part of Exercise Pacific Agility. Photo by Corporal Brenton Kwaterski.

MRF-D News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Enhanced Air Cooperation a core initiative

17/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2749 Views 0 Comments Enhanced Air Cooperation, USFPI

On November 16, 2011, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard with United States President Barack Obama announced an extension of Australia’s

Australian Army Bombardier Damian Williams, left, confirms the ammunition type with United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Kevin Matias during a live-fire activity as part of Exercise Koolendong. Story by Lieutenant Gordon Carr-Gregg. Photo by Corporal Rodrigo Villablanca.

Australian Army MRF-D News USA

Ten years of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin

17/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2518 Views 0 Comments USFPI

On November 16, 2011, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and United States President Barack Obama announced an extension of Australia’s

The 2016 rotation of the United States Marine Rotational Force - Darwin begin to arrive in Darwin. Photo by Able Seaman Kayla Hayes.

MRF-D News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy USA Videos

Celebrating 10 years of expanded US defence cooperation

17/11/202121/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2538 Views 0 Comments MRF-D, United States Force Posture Initiative in Australia

On November 16, Australia celebrated a decade of expanded cooperation between the Australian Department of Defence and the United States

US Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, prepare to load a UH-1Y Venom onto a ship at the East Arm Wharf, Darwin, in September. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Lydia Gordon.

MRF-D News

Marine Rotational Force 2021 departs Darwin

20/10/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2502 Views 0 Comments

The 2021 Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) has departed the NT, ending the 10th rotation of US Marines through Australia’s Top End.

Australian and Japanese soldiers and US Marines participate in a smoking ceremony Robertson Barracks to kick-start Exercise Southern Jackaroo. Photo by Barrie Collins, for CONTACT.

Australian Army MRF-D News Pacific

Exercise Southern Jackaroo off to a smokin start

15/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2907 Views 0 Comments

MRF-D, Australian Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel began Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2021 in Northern Territory today.

United States Marines from the Marine Rotational Force - Darwin participate in Darwin's 2021 ANZAC Day march. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

MRF-D News

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin hit with 2 more COVID-19 cases

26/04/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2864 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

Two US Marines in Darwin returned positive COVID-19 results during routine testing as part of mandatory 14-day quarantine after arrival.

A US Marine with the 2021 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin is COVID-19 tested on arrival at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

Australian MRF-D News

US Marine in Darwin tests positive for COVID-19

15/02/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2184 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

A 21-year-old male US Marine with MRF-D tested positive for COVID-19 at initial screening on arrival in Darwin last week.

The first 2021 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Marines, disembark their charter aircraft at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

MRF-D News

First Marines for MRF-D 10 land in Darwin

13/02/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2979 Views 0 Comments

The first wave of the 2021 Marine Rotational Force – Darwin landed at RAAF Base Darwin in the Northern Territory this week.

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