US Marines in Aussie Top End Ready for Action

United States Marines (left) Lance Corporal Brandon James and Lance Corporal Devyn Dockery prepare to raise the national flag of the United States of America before the start of the opening ceremony of Exercise Southern Jackaroo 21 at 1st Brigade headquarters, Darwin on June 15. PTE Jacob Joseph/ADF

With more than 2,000 U.S. Marines in Australia’s north, commander USMC Colonel David Banning said the force isn’t just in the Top End to train, it’s ready for action.

The declaration comes as Defence Minister Peter Dutton hints that while maintaining peace is a “first priority,” the visiting Darwin-based force could soon swell amid growing Indo-Pacific tension.