The first group of about 200 US marines has arrived in Darwin as part of the 10th Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D), which will see about 2,200 personnel arrive in Australia’s Northern Territory by June for several months of training.
The Australian DoD announced on 12 February that US Marine Corps personnel has begun arriving at Australia’s Northern Territory as part of the 10th Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D). (US Embassy Canberra/Australian DoD)
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said that this year’s rotation will “build on the success of last year’s modified deployment”, meaning that all US personnel has to undergo Covid-19 testing within 72 hours of departure for Australia and present a negative result before boarding. Moreover, all US personnel will have to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine, including Covid-19 testing, on arrival in Australia and again before exiting quarantine.
The minister said that to accommodate the US marines this year, the MRF-D has leased a secure facility outside Darwin for the majority of personnel to complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine. However, “the first two groups will quarantine in isolated accommodation on a Defence base”, said the minister.
“The use of the leased facility and Defence base will ensure the MRF-D’s arrival has no impact on repatriating Australians from overseas, which remains a key national priority for the Australian government”, added Reynolds.
The MRF-D and Australian Defence Force (ADF) are expected to conduct “a comprehensive range of training activities”, including humanitarian assistance, security operations, and high-end live-fire exercises, said Reynolds, adding that, “Covid-19 permitting, the ADF and MRF-D will also train with partner countries throughout the year, including Exercise ‘Talisman Sabre’”.
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