MRF-D Archives - CONTACT magazine

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.

US Marines head home after six months down under

03/11/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 934 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

United States marines board an Omni Air International flight departing from RAAF Base Darwin, NT. Photo by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

Australian Army Lest We Forget News

Marines bid farewell to Darwin

19/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1889 Views 0 Comments Exercise Alon, HADR, HMAS Canberra, MRF-D, MV-22 Osprey, US Marines

After six months of exercises with the ADF and a range of partner nations, the 12th iteration of the Marine

Australian Army soldier Corporal Brandon Camilleri, right, delivers quick orders during a bilateral air assault exercise with the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Exercise Alon in the Philippines. Story by Captain Joanne Leca. Photos by Lance Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.

Asia Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Videos

Philippines combined air assault a success

25/08/202328/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1942 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of the Philippines, E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Alon, F-35B Lightning II, HMAS Canberra, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, MRF-D, MV-22 Osprey, Philippines, US Marines

More than 600 soldiers from the ADF, Philippines and US conducted an air assault near Rizal, the Philippines, during Exercise

Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Kevin Arbeznik, left, and Gunnery Sergeant Emmanuel Alvarado observe an airdrop from a RAAF C-27J Spartan at the Mount Bundy Training Area, Northern Territory. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris

News Royal Australian Air Force

Airdrop training in the Top End

11/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1588 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, MRF-D, No. 35 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, USMC

Flying low across Mount Bundy Training Area in the Northern Territory, a Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan conducted airdrops

An M1A1 Abrams from Battle Group Heeler in a battle hide during Exercise Southern Jackaroo, part of Exercise Diamond Strike, in the Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Story by Major Roger Brennan. All photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Australian Army News

Exercise wraps with a full-on attack

14/07/202314/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1809 Views 1 Comment 7th Brigade, CTC, Diamond Strike, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, M1A1 Abrams, MRF-D

Pinned down in a deep creek line in the Townsville Field Training Area, soldiers from the 7th Brigade’s Battle Group

Australian Army riflemen from Battle Group Heeler deliver ammunition in a simulated urban assault during Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Townsville Field Training Area. Story by Major Roger Brennan. All photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Australian Army News Videos

Souther Jackaroo tests forces ahead of Talisman Sabre

07/07/202314/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1943 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 7th Brigade, Diamond Strike, Exercise Southern Jackaroo, Exercise Talisman Sabre, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), MRF-D, Townsville Field Training Area, USMC

As dawn broke across the Townsville Field Training Area, marines from the US Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) heard

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 2013 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

Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, the 1st Battalion, Royal Ghurkha Rifles, and Marine Rotational Force - Darwin conduct an urban clearance serial in the Mount Bundey Training Area, NT. Story by Dan Mazurek. Photo by Captain Annie Richardson.

Australian Army News Overseas

Exercise flags shift in focus to the Top End

07/06/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2595 Views 0 Comments 1st Combat Engineer Regimen, 1st Combat Service Support Battalion, 1st Combat Signal Regiment, 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 8th/12th Regiment, Exercise Predator’s Walk, MRF-D, Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR), USMC

It’s always a good time to be a soldier in Darwin. CAPTION: Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment,

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 2403 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

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 3126 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 2459 Views 0 Comments MRF-D

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

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 1510 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

ADF and Marine Rotational Force - Darwin personnel on Exercise Koolendong at Bradshaw Training Area in the Northern Territory. Story by Lieutenant Gordon Carr-Gregg. Photo by Corporal Rodrigo Villablanca .

Australian Army News USA Videos

ADF and Marines on Ex Koolendong in NT

07/09/202109/09/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2026 Views 0 Comments MRF-D

More than 2000 troops from the Australian Defence Force and Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) have completed a high-end live-fire warfighting

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 2516 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).

Personnel of the Marine Rotational Force - Darwin prepare to board their flight home from RAAF Darwin, Northern Territory. Photo by Sub Lieutenant Max Logan.

Australian MRF-D News USA

MRF-D 18 happy to be going home

28/10/201802/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3789 Views 0 Comments Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, MRF-D

The 2018 Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D), consisting of 1587 US Marines, has completed another six months of training

International observers disembark the MV-22 Osprey at South Goulburn Island to observe Exercise Crocodile Strike. Photo by Sergeant Janine Fabre.

Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology USA

First US military construction in Australia since WWII

22/06/201822/06/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4627 Views 0 Comments Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, MRF-D, United States Force Posture Initiative in Australia

United States Force Posture Initiative in Australia has commissioned the construction of the first military project to be built in Australia

Minister for Defence Marise Payne looks over a M777 howitzer in company with an artillery marine from Marine Rotation Force - Darwin, during a visit to Robertson Barracks, Darwin. Photo by Leading Seaman James Whittle.

Australian Australian Army MRF-D News USA

MINDEF visits MRF-D

05/06/201802/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3156 Views 0 Comments Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, MRF-D

Minister for Defence Marise Payne, Commanding General US Marine Corps Forces Pacific Lieutenant General David Berger, and Australian Chief of

Members of the United States Marine Corps from Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 2017, begin their journey home from RAAF Base Darwin. Photo by Leading Seaman James Whittle.

Australian MRF-D News USA

Darwin-based Marines going home

14/10/201702/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3753 Views 0 Comments Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, MRF-D

The 2017 Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) has begun its departure from Darwin, bringing to an end the sixth rotation of

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

Australian MRF-D News USA

6th rotation of Marines arrives in Darwin

18/04/201702/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4305 Views 0 Comments Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, MRF-D, United States Marine Corps, US Marines

The next rotation of United States (US) Marines will begin arriving in Darwin this week to commence their sixth rotation