U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, Australian Army Soldiers, and Philippine Marines conduct a combined assault during Exercise Alon at Palawan, Philippines, Aug. 22, 2023. Exercise Alon, part of Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2023, is a bilateral amphibious training activity between the Australian Defence Force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, supported by MRF-D. The exercise focused on enhancing interoperability and readiness to respond to shared security challenges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Matthew Wolf) - U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, Australian Army Soldiers, and Philippine Marines conduct a combined assault during Exercise Alon at Palawan, Philippines, Aug. 22, 2023. Exercise Alon, part of Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2023, is a bilateral amphibious training activity between the Australian Defence Force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, supported by MRF-D. The exercise focused on enhancing interoperability and readiness to respond to shared security challenges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Matthew Wolf)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, unload gear to begin Marine Aviation Support Activity 23 at Puerto Princesa International Airport, Palawan, Philippines, July 12, 2023. MASA 23 is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination in support of U.S.-Philippine mutual defense. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, unload gear to begin Marine Aviation Support Activity 23 at Puerto Princesa International Airport, Palawan, Philippines, July 12, 2023. MASA 23 is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination in support of U.S.-Philippine mutual defense. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton)

U.S. Marines with Lima Co., 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 23 engage simulated targets during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 23 in Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, July 1, 2023. Southern Jackaroo is a trilateral exercise with MRF-D, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, and Australian Defence Force, with Republic of Korea observers, working together to achieve fire, maneuver, and communications interoperability objectives. - U.S. Marines with Lima Co., 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 23 engage simulated targets during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 23 in Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, July 1, 2023. Southern Jackaroo is a trilateral exercise with MRF-D, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, and Australian Defence Force, with Republic of Korea observers, working together to achieve fire, maneuver, and communications interoperability objectives.

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 23 and Royal Australian Navy Sailors stand on the flight deck of Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Adelaide (L01) during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 23, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, July 8, 2023. Through the continuous progression of training exercises, MRF-D and the Australian Defence Force gain valuable experience and the expertise necessary for the successful execution of complex missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Skyler M. Harris) - U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 23 and Royal Australian Navy Sailors stand on the flight deck of Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Adelaide (L01) during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 23, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, July 8, 2023. Through the continuous progression of training exercises, MRF-D and the Australian Defence Force gain valuable experience and the expertise necessary for the successful execution of complex missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Skyler M. Harris)

MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 23, prepare to depart Darwin Port, Northern Territory, Australia, April 28, 2023. Working alongside Australian Allies, MRF-D is postured and ready to respond to crisis and contingency in the region, contributing to a safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adeola Adetimehin) - MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 23, prepare to depart Darwin Port, Northern Territory, Australia, April 28, 2023. Working alongside Australian Allies, MRF-D is postured and ready to respond to crisis and contingency in the region, contributing to a safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adeola Adetimehin)

Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, 27th U.S. Ambassador to Australia, poses with U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 23 on Robertson Barracks, Northern Territory, Australia, May 17, 2023. Working alongside Australian Allies, MRF-D is postured and ready to respond to crisis and contingency in the region, contributing to a safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brayden Daniel) - Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, 27th U.S. Ambassador to Australia, poses with U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 23 on Robertson Barracks, Northern Territory, Australia, May 17, 2023. Working alongside Australian Allies, MRF-D is postured and ready to respond to crisis and contingency in the region, contributing to a safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brayden Daniel)

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.

A U.S. Marine with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2018 handles a crocodile during a welcome aboard brief at Robertson Barracks, Darwin, Australia, April 12. - A U.S. Marine with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2018 handles a crocodile during a welcome aboard brief at Robertson Barracks, Darwin, Australia, April 12. MRF-D was established by former U.S. President Barack Obama and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in 2011 to build and strengthen partnerships in the Pacific region. Approximately 1,500 Marines are scheduled to participate in training events around the country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mason Roy)