DARWIN, AUSTRALIA -- October 1st marks the official end of the 2023 iteration of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin. Throughout the past six months, the Marines and Sailors have accomplished much in the way of interoperability throughout Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.
With the support of Headquarters Northern Command, MRF-D partnered with units from across the Australian Defence Force, traveling throughout Australia and the Indo-Pacific to conduct interoperability and readiness building exercises.
As the first major exercise of this year’s rotation, the Marine Air-Ground Task Force conducted Exercise Crocodile Response with the Headquarters Northern Command and the Indonesian National Armed Forces, demonstrating readiness to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to those in crisis.
During Exercise Southern Jackaroo, a company-sized force of MRF-D’s ground combat element traveled to Townsville Field Training Area to act as an opposition, providing increased training opportunities for the Australian Army’s 7th Brigade and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
The command element of MRF-D traveled to the Philippines twice to participate in exercises designed to demonstrate capability for conducting command and control of forces across vast distances.
During the largest military exercise in Australia (Exercise Talisman Sabre), the Marine Air-Ground Task Force used RAAF Base Scherger as a logistics spoke, demonstrating their ability to conduct bare-base operations, moving large numbers of personnel and equipment across vast distances in support of expeditionary advanced base operations. MRF-D applied concepts outlined in the U.S. Marine Corps’s Force Design 2030, which is a framework for the modernization of the Marine Corps aimed at expanding advantages in maneuver warfare.
In support of Indopacific Endeavor, a bilateral exercise between the Australian Defence Force and Armed Forces of the Philippines, MRF-D supported Exercise Alon by embarking four MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and a contingent of ground combat forces on HMAS Canberra. The combined force sailed to the Philippines where they conducted two separate amphibious assaults, demonstrating mobility and readiness for response to crisis and contingency.
During Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023, MRF-D participated in a force-on-force exercise in Indonesia with the Australian Defence Force, Indonesian National Armed Forces, Singapore Armed Forces, and the U.S. Army. The forces supported offensive and defensive training activities, strengthening their skills and procedures in coordinating fire and maneuver with a combined team.
Quotes from the commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, Col. Brendan Sullivan: “The training opportunities provided by our Allies and partners throughout the region are unlike any other I have experienced in my career.
“In six months, we completed nine major exercises and partnered with military organizations throughout the Indo-Pacific to conduct valuable training events, all of which increased our collective readiness and posture for responding to crisis and contingency.
“We built upon already existing relationships, increased levels of interoperability between forces, and in some cases, provided each other with interchangeable capabilities to support a wide range of military operations. “We could not have accomplished this without the phenomenal support from our brothers and sisters in the Australian Defence Force.
“During the very difficult time surrounding the loss of our three beloved Marines, the Australians provided an outpouring of love and support, standing alongside us in our grieving process, and assisting us in carrying on the mission. As we look back on the accomplishments of MRF-D 23, we honor our fallen by recognizing their contributions and the significant impact they had on so many.”
For questions regarding this release, please contact the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin Public Affairs Officer email address at MRFDmedia@usmc.mil
For MRF-D related imagery, please visit https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MRF-D