MRF-D – Page 2 – CONTACT magazine

Gunner Thalia Tabuai (right) of 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, and US Marine Corps Corporal Kevin Dominic Matias ram a high-explosive projectile into the breach of an M777A2 Howitzer. Photo by Corporal Rodrigo Villablanca.

Echos of joint Aussie/Marine thunder Downunder

13/10/202013/10/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3768 Views 0 Comments

Combined Australian army and US Marine howitzers unleashed about 1200 rounds during Exercise Koolendong at Mount Bundy from September.

A US Marine lays down supporting fire during Exercise Koolendong. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Lydia Gordon.

Australian Australian Army MRF-D News

Exercise Koolendong 2020 – most complex ever

11/09/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3963 Views 0 Comments

Australian Army and US Marines have completed Exercise Koolendong 2020, a high-end, live-fire warfighting exercise in the Northern Territory.

US Marine Corps Captain Benjamin Hovies and Australian Army Sergeant Aaron Costas direct the flight path of a US Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT. A combined team of US Marines and Australian Defence Forces personnel provided target information to the US Air Force bombers conducting deep strikes on notional targets. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Harrison Rakhshani.

Australian Australian Army MRF-D News

B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers pound NT sites

03/09/202003/09/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4121 Views 0 Comments

US Air Force B-1B Lancers and B-2 Spirit bombers have recently participated in a combined United States-Australia exercise in the NT.

US Marine Corps Sergeant Jacob Montana with Combined Anti-Armor Team, Ground Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, relays commands to his Marines during a simulated fire mission at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Lydia Gordon.

ADF Australian MRF-D News

Marines complete quarantine in the Northern Territory

10/08/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3208 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

More than 1000 US Marines have completed quarantine in the NT, with training now well underway as part of this year’s Marine Rotational Force – Darwin.

US Marines of Marine Rotational Force - Darwin arrive at RAAF Base Darwin, NT, greeted by health-screening officials. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

Australian MRF-D News

US Marine arriving in Darwin tests COVID-19 positive

10/07/202010/07/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2689 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

A United States Marine has returned a positive result for COVID-19 at an initial screening on arrival in Darwin and has been taken to Royal Darwin Hospital.

A US Marine with Marine Rotational Force - Darwin is swabbed during a COVID-19 test at RAAF Base Darwin. US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Natalie Greenwood.

MRF-D News

US Marines in Darwin undergo COVID-19 test

18/06/202018/06/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2432 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

US Marines with MRF-D received a second COVID-19 test during their quarantine on Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin on June 12.

The first plane-load of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin marines are greeted by biosecurity officers at RAAF Base Darwin. The marines were tested for COVID-19 and placed in a 14-day quarantine facility. US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Natalie Greenwood.

Australian MRF-D News

First batch of Marine rotation 2020 arrives in Darwin

02/06/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3351 Views 0 Comments MRF-D

The first group of around 200 US Marines have arrived at RAAF Base Darwin as part of the ninth Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D).

United States Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo by Leading Seaman James Whittle.

ADF Australian MRF-D News

Delayed Marine rotation in Darwin to start in June

21/05/202021/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3330 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

Arrangements in the Northern Territory are in place to ensure the safe and effective conduct of the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2020.

2016 FILE PHOTO: United States Marine Rotational Force - Darwin arrive at Darwin Airport. Photo by Able Seaman Kayla Hayes.

ADF Australian MRF-D News

Modified Marine rotation to proceed in Darwin

06/05/202016/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3256 Views 2 Comments COVID-19

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds today announced that a modified Marine Rotational Force – Darwin rotation would proceed later this

US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Natalie Greenwood.

Australian MRF-D News

Two countries, two weapons, one fight

05/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3619 Views 0 Comments

US Marines and Australian service members familiarised themselves with each other’s weapons on the Weapons Training Simulation System at Robertson Barracks.

US Marine Corps Corporal Isaiah Fraser, with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, shoots an M4 carbine at Robertson Barracks, Darwin after the Marine service rifle was integrated with the Australian's Weapons Training Simulation System for the first time. US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Natalie Greenwood.

Australian MRF-D News

WTSS training for Marines stuck in Darwin

02/05/202002/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5423 Views 3 Comments

US Marine Corps Corporal Isaiah Fraser, a data system administrator with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, shoots an M4 carbine

US Marines with Marine Rotation Force - Darwin load a Humvee at East Wharf Port Darwin. US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Natalie Greenwood.

Australian MRF-D News

MRF-D resupplies arrive despite COVID-19 deferral

22/04/202002/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3636 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

Despite Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2020 being cancelled because of the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, long-lead-time logistics are going ahead.

Two United States Marine Rotational Force – Darwin MV-22 Osprey take off during Exercise Koolendong at Mount Bundey Training Area. Photo by Private Nicole Dorrett.

ADF Australian MRF-D News Overseas USA

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin postponed

30/03/202021/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3199 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2020 has been cancelled – or at best postponed – because of the ongoing restrictions associated with COVID-19.

US Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys depart Darwin for Hawaii after a busy year in Australia. US Marine Corps photo by First Lieutenant Colin Kennard.

ADF Australian MRF-D News

Marines leave Australia after busiest rotation

21/10/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3227 Views 0 Comments

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) has departed the Northern Territory after completing its 2019 rotation Downunder. CAPTION: US Marine

A RAAF C-27J Spartan drops Australian Aid onto the Mount Bundey Training Area during Exercise Crocodile Response, NT, Australia. Photo by Staff Sergeant Jordan Gilbert.

ADF Australian MRF-D News

Aust/US working HADR together in the NT

07/09/201902/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3059 Views 0 Comments

Australian Defence Force and Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) members have completed the humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief (HADR) activity

A US Marine speaks on a radio during the Combined Force Entry Operation during Exercise Talisman Sabre 19 during an amphibious landing at Stanage Bay, Queensland. US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Kaleb Martin.

Australian MRF-D News USA

More Marines land in Darwin

25/07/201902/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2953 Views 0 Comments

Marine Rotational Force-Darwin reached a major milestone this week with the arrival of additional US Marines in Darwin, bringing the total

Australian Army riflemen from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conduct a simulated assault with United States Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey support at Shoalwater Bay Training Area. Photo by Corporal Tristan Kennedy.

ADF Asia Australian Australian Army MRF-D News USA Videos

Southern Jackaroo wraps up tri-lateral exercise

07/06/201902/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5063 Views 0 Comments

A two-week military field exercise has been completed this week, with more than 700 Australian Defence Force, United States Marine

Japanese and Australian soldiers fire artillery in Shoalwater Bay Training Area. Photo by Corporal Tristan Kennedy.

Australian Australian Army MRF-D News Pacific Videos

Japan fires artillery on Australian soil

01/06/201902/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5579 Views 0 Comments

Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) personnel have successfully fired two FH-70 howitzers out to 25 kilometres while in Australia.

An 8/9RAR soldier participates in urban operations training with Philippine soldiers at Shoalwater Bay. Photo by Corporal Kennedy of Charlie Company, 8/9RAR.

Australian Australian Army MRF-D News

7 Brigade busy at Shoalwater Bay

01/06/201902/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4452 Views 0 Comments

Brisbane-based 7 Brigade has been busy at Shoalwater Bay recently, with a range of exercises designed to keep skills honed

Lance Cpl. Sandoval-Pereyra, US Marine Corps, died after vehicle accident in Australia, 28 May 2019.

Australian MRF-D News USA

US Marine dead after training accident at Mount Bundey

29/05/201902/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3935 Views 0 Comments

A 21-year-old United States Marine died yesterday from injuries received in a vehicle accident during training in Mount Bundy Training