On 11 August it was announced US Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 26 completed a ship-to-shore movement on 8 August, debarking from the HMAS Canberra after a combined maritime transit from Townsville.
US Pacific Command stated that, “The voyage marked a major milestone in bilateral interoperability. For the duration of the transit, Marines and Australian sailors lived, planned and operated side-by-side aboard the 27,500-tonne landing helicopter dock.
During the voyage, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268 (Reinforce) conducted deck landing qualifications, repeatedly landing and launching MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft on the Australian flagship’s flight deck. These complex aviation evolutions allowed US pilots and Australian flight crews to synchronise their procedures, proving the aircraft can rapidly deploy combat power directly from allied vessels.”
Colonel George Flynn, commanding officer of MRF-D 26, said,
“Integrating with the Royal Australian Navy aboard HMAS Canberra represents a significant step forward in our combined warfighting capability,” said “By merging the inherent littoral capabilities of a certified Marine Corps MAGTF with the amphibious power of the RAN, we are actively sharpening our collective readiness to fight and win. This training ensures that our combined forces remain a highly capable, lethal, and responsive deterrent in the Indo-Pacific.”
Operating from Canberra‘s flooded well dock, Australian mechanised landing craft pushed heavy combat equipment directly to the beach. The RAN surface connectors successfully transported Marine Corps joint light tactical vehicles and medium tactical vehicle replacements, validating the capability of Australian ships to project US ground combat elements ashore.
Captain David McPherson, commanding officer of Canberra said,
“Australia’s alliance with the United States is our most important defence relationship, underpinned by deep levels of cooperation through training, exercises and operations. By operating together, we strengthen our ability to respond. This exercise demonstrates the high level of trust and interoperability between our two nations.”
US Pacific Command concluded that,
“The successful debarkation sets the stage for continued bilateral training throughout the Northern Territory. By proving they can project robust combat power from an allied flagship, MRF-D and the RAN ensure the joint maritime force remains postured to rapidly respond to any contingency in the theatre.”
Source: US Pacom
