News

From Left; U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian T. Mulvihill, the commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, Royal Australian Air Force Wing Cmdr. Lauren Guest, the senior Australian Defence Force officer of RAAF Base Darwin, Royal Australian Navy Capt. Mitchell Livingstone, the commanding officer of Headquarters Northern Command, and Australian Army Brigadier Douglas Pashley, the commander of 1st Brigade, stand at attention during the 82nd Battle of the Coral Sea commemorative service at the USS Peary Memorial, Darwin, NT, Australia, May 4, 2024. MRF-D 24.3 Marines paid their respects alongside their Australian Allies during the ceremony. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Manuel Rivera) - From Left; U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian T. Mulvihill, the commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, Royal Australian Air Force Wing Cmdr. Lauren Guest, the senior Australian Defence Force officer of RAAF Base Darwin, Royal Australian Navy Capt. Mitchell Livingstone, the commanding officer of Headquarters Northern Command, and Australian Army Brigadier Douglas Pashley, the commander of 1st Brigade, stand at attention during the 82nd Battle of the Coral Sea commemorative service at the USS Peary Memorial, Darwin, NT, Australia, May 4, 2024. MRF-D 24.3 Marines paid their respects alongside their Australian Allies during the ceremony. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Manuel Rivera)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Rigby, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, looks out the back of an MV-22B Osprey during the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Aug. 16, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Michael Rigby, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, looks out the back of an MV-22B Osprey during the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, Aug. 16, 2024. MRF-D’s participation in the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast demonstrates the United States Marine Corps’ commitment to international partnerships and highlights the close military ties between the United States and Australia, fostering interoperability and cooperation between their armed forces. Rigby is a native of Virginia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton)

Service members from the United States, Australia, the Republic of the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, pose for a photo after the opening ceremony of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, July 15, 2024. - Service members from the United States, Australia, the Republic of the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, pose for a photo after the opening ceremony of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, July 15, 2024. Exercise Predator’s Run 24 is a littoral-focused, multilateral training exercise led by the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade, involving the Australian Defence Force, British Armed Forces, and the U.S. Marine Corps. Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3’s participation in Exercise Predator’s Run 24 increases interoperability with Allies and partners, highlighting the effectiveness of combined operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct air-to-air refueling with a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during a trans-Pacific flight en route to Marine Aviation Support Activity 23, at sea, July 8, 2023. MASA is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination focused on aviation-related capabilities. - U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conduct air-to-air refueling with a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during a trans-Pacific flight en route to Marine Aviation Support Activity 23, at sea, July 8, 2023. MASA is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination focused on aviation-related capabilities.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 Reinforced, Aviation Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22, refuels in flight during a Transpacific flight over Queensland, Australia, Sept. 13, 2022. TRANSPAC was a long-range tactical redeployment from Darwin to Hawaii with stops in Fiji, American Samoa, and Kiribati. - A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 Reinforced, Aviation Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22, refuels in flight during a Transpacific flight over Queensland, Australia, Sept. 13, 2022. TRANSPAC was a long-range tactical redeployment from Darwin to Hawaii with stops in Fiji, American Samoa, and Kiribati.

U.S Marines with Marine Rotational Force–Darwin 22 secure a possible amphibious landing site during the Operational Regional War Fighter at Cowley Beach Training Area, Queensland. Operation Regional War Fighter supports the Australian Army’s recent focus on enhancing capabilities in the jungle, which mimics conditions seen in the nearby region. - U.S Marines with Marine Rotational Force–Darwin 22 secure a possible amphibious landing site during the Operational Regional War Fighter at Cowley Beach Training Area, Queensland. Operation Regional War Fighter supports the Australian Army’s recent focus on enhancing capabilities in the jungle, which mimics conditions seen in the nearby region.

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22 and Australian Army soldiers secure an objective during exercise Predator's Run 22 at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT, Australia, Aug. 27, 2022. Predator's Run 22 is a multinational exercise that simulates littoral combined arms maneuver in a large-scale force-on-force environment. - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22 and Australian Army soldiers secure an objective during exercise Predator's Run 22 at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT, Australia, Aug. 27, 2022. Predator's Run 22 is a multinational exercise that simulates littoral combined arms maneuver in a large-scale force-on-force environment.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Stephen Sklenka, deputy commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, meets with Australian Army Warrant Officer Class One Brad Doyle, the regimental sergeant major of 1st Brigade, and Australian Army Brig. Gen. Nicholas Foxall, the commanding officer of 1st Brigade, at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 25, 2022. U.S. INDOPACOM and Marine Corps Forces Pacific deputy commanders toured the Australian Army 1st Brigade headquarters during their visit in Darwin. - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Stephen Sklenka, deputy commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, meets with Australian Army Warrant Officer Class One Brad Doyle, the regimental sergeant major of 1st Brigade, and Australian Army Brig. Gen. Nicholas Foxall, the commanding officer of 1st Brigade, at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, Aug. 25, 2022. U.S. INDOPACOM and Marine Corps Forces Pacific deputy commanders toured the Australian Army 1st Brigade headquarters during their visit in Darwin.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dexter Madrigal, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Ground Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22, and Australian Army Pvt. Daniel Rochford, with 16th Battalion, Royal Western Australian Regiment, pose for a photograph under the stars after completing an airfield seizure event as part of exercise Koolendong 22, at Royal Australian Air Force Base Curtin, WA, Australia, July 19, 2022. Exercise Koolendong 22 is a combined and joint force exercise focused on expeditionary advanced base operations conducted by U.S. Marines, U.S. Soldiers, U.S. Airmen, and Australian Defence Force personnel. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dexter Madrigal, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Ground Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22, and Australian Army Pvt. Daniel Rochford, with 16th Battalion, Royal Western Australian Regiment, pose for a photograph under the stars after completing an airfield seizure event as part of exercise Koolendong 22, at Royal Australian Air Force Base Curtin, WA, Australia, July 19, 2022. Exercise Koolendong 22 is a combined and joint force exercise focused on expeditionary advanced base operations conducted by U.S. Marines, U.S. Soldiers, U.S. Airmen, and Australian Defence Force personnel.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. James Meak, Headquarters Company first sergeant with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, congratulates the Marines of the Ground Equipment Staging Program on a successful deployment and briefs on future operations and exercises on Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, April 27, 2022. The Marines of the GESP recently returned from an 8 month rotational deployment to Darwin, Australia to maintain gear, foster force readiness, and improve relations with Australian Defence Force partners. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine Expeditionary Force's comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. James Meak, Headquarters Company first sergeant with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, congratulates the Marines of the Ground Equipment Staging Program on a successful deployment and briefs on future operations and exercises on Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, April 27, 2022. The Marines of the GESP recently returned from an 8 month rotational deployment to Darwin, Australia to maintain gear, foster force readiness, and improve relations with Australian Defence Force partners. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine Expeditionary Force's comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

Australian Army Brig. Gen. Nicholas J. Foxall, the commanding officer of 1st Brigade, and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Roger B. Turner, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, pose for a photo at Robertson Barracks, Darwin, NT, Australia, April 21. The 1st MARDIV commanding general visited Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22 and members of the Australian Defence Force in Darwin to gain insight into MRF-D 22’s current operations and interoperability. - Australian Army Brig. Gen. Nicholas J. Foxall, the commanding officer of 1st Brigade, and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Roger B. Turner, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, pose for a photo at Robertson Barracks, Darwin, NT, Australia, April 21. The 1st MARDIV commanding general visited Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22 and members of the Australian Defence Force in Darwin to gain insight into MRF-D 22’s current operations and interoperability.

News Rollup Default Thumbnail - News Rollup Default Thumbnail

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dantrel Gandy, a Low Altitude Air Defense gunner with Alpha Battery, 2nd LAAD Platoon, Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron – 363 (Reinforced), with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, observes a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launch during Exercise Loobye at Bradshaw Field Training Area, NT, Australia, Aug. 12, 2021. The HIMARS launched as part of the final act of Exercise Loobye to demonstrate MRF-D’s ability to conduct HIMARS Rapid Infiltration. Exercises like Loobye demonstrate MRF-D’s ability to conduct operations as a joint force with the ADF, execute expeditionary operations, like HIRAIN, and exemplify their mutual dedication to being postured and ready to respond to a crisis or contingency in the Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dantrel Gandy, a Low Altitude Air Defense gunner with Alpha Battery, 2nd LAAD Platoon, Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron – 363 (Reinforced), with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, observes a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launch during Exercise Loobye at Bradshaw Field Training Area, NT, Australia, Aug. 12, 2021. The HIMARS launched as part of the final act of Exercise Loobye to demonstrate MRF-D’s ability to conduct HIMARS Rapid Infiltration. Exercises like Loobye demonstrate MRF-D’s ability to conduct operations as a joint force with the ADF, execute expeditionary operations, like HIRAIN, and exemplify their mutual dedication to being postured and ready to respond to a crisis or contingency in the Indo-Pacific region.

A U.S. Marine conducts a joint range brief at Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 5. - A U.S. Marine conducts a joint range brief at Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 5.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Micheal Mendoza, a joint terminal attack controller with Command Element, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, left, and Australian Defence Force Sgt. Aaron Costas, with 102nd Coral Battery, communicate to a B-1B Lancer pilot at Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, Aug. 14, 2020. The combined training allowed both Marines and Australian Defence Force members to learn how to communicate effectively to be ready to work together to to contribute to regional security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah Marshall) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Micheal Mendoza, a joint terminal attack controller with Command Element, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, left, and Australian Defence Force Sgt. Aaron Costas, with 102nd Coral Battery, communicate to a B-1B Lancer pilot at Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, Aug. 14, 2020. The combined training allowed both Marines and Australian Defence Force members to learn how to communicate effectively to be ready to work together to to contribute to regional security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sarah Marshall)

A U.S. Marine puts on ear protection before shooting on the Weapon Training Simulation System at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29. - A U.S. Marine puts on ear protection before shooting on the Weapon Training Simulation System at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, April 29.

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, a part of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D), fire Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions during Southern Reach, at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia on August 15, 2019. GMLRS provide pinpoint accuracy and deliver 200 pounds of high explosives directly on a target. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon Salas) - Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, a part of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D), fire Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions during Southern Reach, at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia on August 15, 2019. GMLRS provide pinpoint accuracy and deliver 200 pounds of high explosives directly on a target. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon Salas)

U.S. Marines go aboard the HMAS Adelaide at Port of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, June 16, 2016. This marks the first time Marines and sailors from Marine Rotational Force - Darwin have embarked in such numbers on an Australian HMAS. This opportunity allows for MRF-D to expand the partnership capabilities with our Australian allies. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, MRF-D, and the Australians are with HMAS Adelaide. - U.S. Marines go aboard the HMAS Adelaide at Port of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, June 16, 2016. This marks the first time Marines and sailors from Marine Rotational Force - Darwin have embarked in such numbers on an Australian HMAS. This opportunity allows for MRF-D to expand the partnership capabilities with our Australian allies. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, MRF-D, and the Australians are with HMAS Adelaide.

U.S. Marines, Australian soldiers and Australian sailors stand at attention for the lowering of the Australian flag aboard the HMAS Adelaide at Port of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, June 16, 2016. This marks the first time Marines and sailors from Marine Rotational Force - Darwin have embarked in such numbers on an Australian HMAS. This opportunity allows for MRF-D to expand the partnership capabilities with our Australian allies. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, MRF-D. - U.S. Marines, Australian soldiers and Australian sailors stand at attention for the lowering of the Australian flag aboard the HMAS Adelaide at Port of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, June 16, 2016. This marks the first time Marines and sailors from Marine Rotational Force - Darwin have embarked in such numbers on an Australian HMAS. This opportunity allows for MRF-D to expand the partnership capabilities with our Australian allies. The Marines are with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, MRF-D.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cason Cunningham, a machine gun squad leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, congratulates a Timor-Leste Defence Force member for excelling in room-clearing operations during Exercise Koa Moana 15.2 in Dili, Timor-Leste, June 24. The Marines conducted a bilateral exercise with one platoon of the Timor-Leste Defence Force’s land component of the naval force and one platoon of their Marines, focusing on the fundamentals of squad and platoon-level tasks. The bilateral training exercise allows the Marines to share their tactics, techniques and procedures with our international partner, strengthening our understanding of each other’s Defence forces standard operating procedures. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cason Cunningham, a machine gun squad leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, congratulates a Timor-Leste Defence Force member for excelling in room-clearing operations during Exercise Koa Moana 15.2 in Dili, Timor-Leste, June 24. The Marines conducted a bilateral exercise with one platoon of the Timor-Leste Defence Force’s land component of the naval force and one platoon of their Marines, focusing on the fundamentals of squad and platoon-level tasks. The bilateral training exercise allows the Marines to share their tactics, techniques and procedures with our international partner, strengthening our understanding of each other’s Defence forces standard operating procedures.

U.S. Marines with Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, participate in a conditioning hike during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2015 June 14 at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia. SJ15 was a combined training opportunity for the Marines with their Australian allies that helped to improve interoperability between the two forces. The U.S. Marine Corps and the Australian Defence Forces are committed to continuing their tradition of more than 100 years of global partnership and security cooperation between Australia and the United States of America. - U.S. Marines with Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, participate in a conditioning hike during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2015 June 14 at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia. SJ15 was a combined training opportunity for the Marines with their Australian allies that helped to improve interoperability between the two forces. The U.S. Marine Corps and the Australian Defence Forces are committed to continuing their tradition of more than 100 years of global partnership and security cooperation between Australia and the United States of America.

Marines with Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, commence Exercise Southern Jackaroo with soldiers with Company A, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Army, Australian Defence Force, May 3 at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia. SJ15 is a bilateral training exercise between soldiers from Company A, 3RAR, and the Marines with MRF-D. The rotational deployment of U.S. Marines in Australia affords an unprecedented combined training opportunity with their Australian allies and improves interoperability between the two forces. - Marines with Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, commence Exercise Southern Jackaroo with soldiers with Company A, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Army, Australian Defence Force, May 3 at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia. SJ15 is a bilateral training exercise between soldiers from Company A, 3RAR, and the Marines with MRF-D. The rotational deployment of U.S. Marines in Australia affords an unprecedented combined training opportunity with their Australian allies and improves interoperability between the two forces.

Lance Corporal Brandon Renteria fires simulation rounds from a M32A1 multi-shot grenade launcher during a live-fire training event alongside Australian soldiers with 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Army, Australian Defence Force, May 15 at Kangaroo Flats Training Area, Victoria, Northern Territory, Australia. The Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, and Australian soldiers brushed up on squad attack tactics, basic point man skills and explosives to refine basic infantry skills. The rotational deployment of U.S. Marines affords an unprecedented combined training opportunity with their Australian allies and improves interoperability between the two forces. Renteria is a rifleman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, MRF-D. - Lance Corporal Brandon Renteria fires simulation rounds from a M32A1 multi-shot grenade launcher during a live-fire training event alongside Australian soldiers with 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Army, Australian Defence Force, May 15 at Kangaroo Flats Training Area, Victoria, Northern Territory, Australia. The Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, and Australian soldiers brushed up on squad attack tactics, basic point man skills and explosives to refine basic infantry skills. The rotational deployment of U.S. Marines affords an unprecedented combined training opportunity with their Australian allies and improves interoperability between the two forces. Renteria is a rifleman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, MRF-D.