More than 1500 U.S. Marine Corps members and eight Fish Hawk (Osprey) fighters will come to Australia this month. (photo by the Northern Territory News)
More than 1500 U. S. Marines and eight Fish Hawk (Osprey) fighters will come to Australia this month in preparation for the October training exercise, the Australian news agency reported. This is the largest number of US troops stationed in the Australian Ferry since the implementation of the policy seven years ago.
Australian Defense Minister Payne (Marise Payne) said in a statement on Friday that the increase in the number of US troops stationed at the Australian Ferry was due to the two countries` earlier commitment to implement the US "Force posture Initiative" (Force Posture Initiatives), through cooperation In order to safeguard the common interests of regional stability and security.
The US military stationed on the Australian ship included 1587 Marines, eight MV-22 Eagle tilting rotors, and six M777 howitzer turrets.
Payne pointed out that the United States will hold a large-scale exercise in Australia, and the equipment will also include AH-1W Super Cobra Helicopter, UH-1Y Venom Helicopter, F/A-18 Hornet Fighting Fighter, and MC- 130 Hercules transport aircraft, etc.
Payne also said that the increase in U.S. presence and equipment capacity in Australia will help the United States to conduct a broader range of exercises and training activities with Australia and other regional partners. She pointed out that during the six-month rotation period, the US military is expected to conduct 15 joint training with the Australian Army; Other regional countries, including Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, will participate in or as observers.
It is reported that in addition to joint training with the United States Marine Corps, the Australian Defense Forces will also conduct joint air force training with the United States Air Force and regional partners under the enhanced Air Cooperation Initiative (Enhanced Air Cooperation Initiative). This year`s joint air force training program includes aero-medical evacuation training missions, fifth-generation fighter aircraft integration, mobile strike operations with the U.S. Marine Corps, integrated aircraft maintenance, and expansion of air-to-air refuelling capabilities.
"the U.S. military has played an important role in ensuring security and stability in the Indian Ocean-Pacific region, and the Force posture Initiative is an important component of stability and security in the coming decades," Payne stressed.
The United States Marine Corps is expected to complete its training at the Australian Ferry in October.
