Left to right: Lieutenant Luke Morgan, Alpha Troop Commander, 1st Transport Squadron, 1st Combat Service Support Battalion; Lt. Stephen Weir, operations officer with 105 Signal Squadron, 1st Combat Signal Regiment; Sgt. Bradley S. Minge, color sergeant with Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin; Lt. Katherine Newson, maritime logistics officer with Headquarters Northern Command, Joint Operations Command - Australian Theatre; Flight Lieutenant Heath Fulton, operations officer with Joint Task Force 639 ACCE, Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Darwin, Australia. The service members stand before the new location for the national and ensign flags during a ceremony to mark the relocation of service flags April 26 at the Darwin Memorial United Church, Darwin, Australia. The service of worship and ceremony was held in order to relocate the flags to the foyer to create more room for the "Fujita" Peace and Reconciliation Exhibition. Events in the community allow Marines to learn about the history the U.S. and Australia share, and to further the longstanding relationship between the U.S. and Australia.

Photo by Cpl. Reba James

Marines, Australians attend a ceremony to mark relocation of service flags

26 Apr 2015 | Cpl. Reba James U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia -- Light filters in through floor-length windows in every direction, giving tapestries and furniture a distinct but soft glow. In the lobby stands a group of service members that will march in an array of national and ensign flags.

Among the service members, a well-known uniform of crimson red, navy blue and khaki stands out. The uniform belongs to a U.S. Marine color sergeant assigned to carry the United States National Ensign.

Visitors attended a service of worship and ceremony to mark the relocation of service flags April 26 at the Darwin Memorial United Church, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

Darwin Memorial United Church was opened July 23, 1960 as a memorial to those who defended Australia during World War II. During the opening of the church, five flags were displayed in the entry by Australian and U.S. forces: the Australian flag, Union Jack, U.S. National Ensign, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy Ensign.

Distinguished visitors at the ceremony were His Honour the Honourable John Hardy, administrator of the Northern Territory; Brigadier Mick Ryan, commander of 1st Brigade, Australian Army, Australian Defence Force; Lt. Col. Eric J. Dougherty, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin; Commander David Luck, Royal Australian Navy, Australian Defence Force and Sgt. Maj. Marcus A. Chestnut, sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, MRF-D.

The current site of the church used to be the American Forces Headquarters in Darwin during World War II, which was bombed by the Japanese in 1942. The bombing of Darwin was carried out by the same Japanese Imperial force which devastated Hawaii. Both attacks were led by the same commander, Mitsuo Fuchida.

“Today we will be ceremoniously relocating the flags which were presented at the opening of this building, representing the services of the (Australian) Defence Force and the United States of America,” said His Honour the Honorable John Hardy, Administrator of the Northern Territory. “We also meet in the spirit of those that have gone before us.”

U.S. military-Australian Defence Force relations date back to the early 20th century. Both nations’ militaries have served together in every significant conflict over the past century, including WW I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Marines involvement in Australian ceremonies reflects cooperation past and present to promote global and regional peace and prosperity.

The Corps and the ADF are committed to continuing our tradition of more than 100 years of global partnerships and security cooperation.