MRF-D Archives - CONTACT magazine

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.

First batch of Marine rotation 2020 arrives in Darwin

02/06/2020 Brian Hartigan 392 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 Brian Hartigan 569 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 Brian Hartigan 704 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 Brian Hartigan 1012 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 Brian Hartigan 1294 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 Brian Hartigan 1104 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 Brian Hartigan 642 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 Brian Hartigan 1110 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 Brian Hartigan 741 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 Brian Hartigan 981 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 Brian Hartigan 1537 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 Brian Hartigan 2164 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 Brian Hartigan 1511 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 Brian Hartigan 1502 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

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 Brian Hartigan 1483 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

A soldier from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces crawls under an obstacle during Exercise Hydra at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane. Photo by Corporal Nunu Campos.

Australian Australian Army MRF-D News Overseas Pacific

Exercise Hydra builds bonds across borders

17/09/201802/05/2020 Brian Hartigan 1784 Views 0 Comments Exercise Hydra

Soldiers from six nations last week participated in an intense competition that tested individual and team skills – and extended

HMAS Success in company with HMAS Toowoomba (rear), and HMAS Adelaide (handrail, front) during Indo Pacific Endeavour 2018. (This image was digitally altered by Defence (no details)). Photo by Able Seaman Kieran Dempsey.

Australian MRF-D News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Aussie ships headed for Honiara and Rabaul

15/08/201802/05/2020 Brian Hartigan 1877 Views 0 Comments Indo-Pacific Endeavour, IPE

Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE) is making its way to two of Australia’s closest Pacific partners, in a demonstration of Australia’s commitment

An Australian Army M1 Abrams tank on live-fire exercise at Shoalwater Bay during Exercise Diamond Strike 2018. Photo by Corporal Oliver Carter.

Australian Australian Army MRF-D News Videos

7th Brigade tests its new tanks on Diamond Strike

08/06/201802/05/2020 Brian Hartigan 5199 Views 0 Comments 7th Brigade, Diamond Strike, M1A1 Abrams

Exercise Diamond Strike 2018 is an Australian Army live-fire combined-arms training activity conducted in Shoalwater Bay on the central-Queensland coast