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Marine Rotational Force - Darwin
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Strength Through Partnership

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From April to October 2024 Headquarters, MRF-D MAGTF deploys to Darwin, Australia, postures for contingency, interoperates and strengthens relationships with regional allies and partners in order to respond to crisis and set conditions for operational tasking.​

 

MRF-Darwin News

 

 

 

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U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, land an MV-22B Osprey on the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide (LO1), as part of deck landing qualifications during a Wet and Dry Exercise Rehearsal, in the Arafura Sea, June 4, 2024. Marines and Sailors embarked on HMAS Adelaide (L01) alongside their Australian Allies to participate in WADER, transiting from Darwin to Townsville from June 2-20, 2024. During WADER, elements from the MRF-D Marine Air-Ground Task Force will conduct MV-22B Osprey deck landing qualifications, a live-fire deck shoot, medical subject matter expert exchanges, enhance amphibious fires, command and control, and initiate a ship-to-shore movement in order to set conditions for future operational tasking. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kassie McDole)

VMM-268 (Rein.) Marines rehearse MV-22B Osprey DLQs aboard HMAS Adelaide

U.S. Marines with India Battery, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, and Australian Army Soldiers with 102 Battery, 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, prepare to fire an M777A2 medium towed 155 mm howitzer during Exercise Thunder Walk 24 at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT, Australia, June 5, 2024. U.S. Marines and their Australian Allies rehearsed delivering precision artillery fire, integrating the fire direction center, and enhancing the joint combat space. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Migel A. Reynosa)

U.S. Marines, Australian Army fire precision guidance kit fuzes during Thunder Walk 24

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John Eskridge, an M3E1 multipurpose anti-armor anti-personnel weapon system gunner with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, patrols through the jungle at Combat Training Centre, Tully, QLD, Australia, June 11, 2024. The Marines of Fox Co. participate in Tully Combat Training Centre’s Regional Warfighter Exercise in order to increase lethality in a jungle environment, further develop interoperability with the Australian Defence Force, and increase readiness for various operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Eskridge is a native of Indiana. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Torres)

Marines with Fox Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.) rehearse platoon operations in Tully

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Kharl Ange Joseph, left, an explosive response element leader with Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, transfers an explosive remnant of war to a French Army Soldier during Operation Render Safe Nauru at Yaren, Nauru, May 29, 2024. Operation Render Safe is an Australian-led operation in Oceania to exchange explosive ordnance tactics, techniques, and procedures and reduce the risk of explosive remnants of war. MRF-D 24.3 explosive ordnance disposal technicians participated in Operation Render Safe 24 within the Republic of Nauru to reduce the risk of ERW and strengthen relationships with U.S. Allies and partners. Joseph is a native of Haiti. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

U.S. Marines, Australian Army, and French Army prepare demolition site for Operation Render Safe Nauru

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 embark on HMAS Adelaide (L01) at Larrakeyah Defence Precinct, Darwin, NT, Australia, June 2, 2024. Marines and Sailors embarked on HMAS Adelaide (L01) alongside their Australian Allies to participate in the Wet and Dry Exercise Rehearsal, transiting from Darwin to Townsville from June 2-20, 2024. During WADER, elements from the MRF-D Marine Air-Ground Task Force will conduct MV-22B Osprey deck landing qualifications, a live-fire deck shoot, medical subject matter expert exchanges, enhance amphibious fires, command and control, and initiate a ship-to-shore movement in order to set conditions for future operational tasking. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kassie McDole)

U.S. Marines, Sailors embark Australian HMAS Adelaide for Wet and Dry Exercise Rehearsal

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Declan Teague, left, a point man, and Lance Cpl. Andrew Manson, an assistant radio operator, both with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, search for their target during a live-fire stalking exercise at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT, Australia, May 22, 2024. Marines and Sailors worked alongside their Australian Army counterparts to deliver long-range precision fires on selected targets from concealed positions. Teague is a native of Idaho. Manson is a native of North Dakota. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Migel A. Reynosa)

U.S. Marines, Australian Army Soldiers participate in live-fire stalking exercise

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Frankwon Gilmore, an assistant patrol leader with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, holds security during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 24 at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, May 27, 2024. Members of MRF-D 24.3 deployed to TFTA to participate in Exercise Southern Jackaroo 24, a multilateral combined arms exercise held with capabilities and personnel from the Australian Army, U.S. Army and Marine Corps, Papua New Guinea Defence Force, and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force to increase interoperability with Allies and partners. Gilmore is a native of New York. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton)

Marines, Sailors patrol, raid during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 24

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Bryce Foxen, center, a company fire support officer with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, plan movements with Australian Army PTE. Matthew Gregory, left, a forward observer, and Lt. Genevieve Butler both with 106th Battery, 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, 3rd Brigade, during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 24 at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, May 25, 2024. Members of MRF-D 24.3 deployed to TFTA to participate in Exercise Southern Jackaroo 24, a multilateral combined arms exercise held with capabilities and personnel from the Australian Army, U.S. Army and Marine Corps, Papua New Guinea Defence Force, and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force to increase interoperability with Allies and partners. Foxen is a native of Iowa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton)

Marines, Sailors gear up for Exercise Southern Jackaroo 24

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jamison Wells, right, a team leader with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, waits for the start of a squad attack range as a part of Exercise Predators Walk at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT, Australia, May 22, 2024. During Predators Walk, Marines were able to conduct a live-fire squad range further developing the skills and confidence needed to succeed at the small unit level. Wells is a native of Arizona. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Torres)

Echo Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.) participates in Exercise Predators Walk

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Waskosky, left, a rifleman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, shows Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles how to use the optic of an M3E1 multipurpose anti-armor anti-personnel weapon at Robertson Barracks, Darwin, NT, Australia, May 22, 2024. During a visit to Darwin, Marles met with key leadership from both the Australian Defence Force and MRF-D, as well as individual Marines, to better understand the improvements in interoperability MRF-D has made in partnership with our ADF Allies. Waskosky is a native of Idaho. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton)

Australian Deputy Prime Minister visits Marines in Darwin

MV-22B Ospreys arrive to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin

MV-22B Ospreys arrive to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin

From Left; U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian T. Mulvihill, the commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, Royal Australian Air Force Wing Cmdr. Lauren Guest, the senior Australian Defence Force officer of RAAF Base Darwin, Royal Australian Navy Capt. Mitchell Livingstone, the commanding officer of Headquarters Northern Command, and Australian Army Brigadier Douglas Pashley, the commander of 1st Brigade, stand at attention during the 82nd Battle of the Coral Sea commemorative service at the USS Peary Memorial, Darwin, NT, Australia, May 4, 2024. MRF-D 24.3 Marines paid their respects alongside their Australian Allies during the ceremony. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Manuel Rivera)

MRF-D 24.3: 82nd Battle of the Coral Sea commemorative service

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nicholas Kless, right, a religious program specialist with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, shakes the hand of a Papua New Guinea Defence Force member during a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise at Murray Barracks, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, May 1, 2024. During the HADR exercise, MRF-D 24.3 is working in coordination with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, with a focus on projecting select role II medical, logistics, and Marine Air-Ground Task Force command and control capabilities off-continent, to validate HADR training and readiness. Kless is a native of Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Torres)

U.S. Navy Chaplain, RP, meet PNGDF religious leaders during HADR

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Henry Bake, a vehicle commander with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, clears an M240B medium machine gun during a battlesight zero range at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT, Australia, May 1, 2024. A BZO is the elevation and windage settings required to place a single shot, or the center of a shot group, in a predesignated location. MRF-D 24.3 is part of an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and Allies and partners and provide a forward-postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. Bake is a native of Washington. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

2nd Bn., 5th Marines zeroes machine guns and sniper rifles at Mt. Bundey Training Area

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force Darwin – 24.3, operate tactical vehicles at Port Darwin, NT, Australia, April 22, 2024. Vehicles and equipment were delivered to Marines at Port Darwin for use throughout the MRF-D 24.3 deployment. MRF-D 24.3 is part of an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and Allies and partners and provide a forward-postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Migel A. Reynosa)

Marines receive tactical vehicles, equipment at Port Darwin

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian Mulvihill, right, the commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, shakes hands with Royal Australian Navy Capt. Mitchell Livingstone, the commanding officer of Headquarters Northern Command at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, NT, Australia, March 24, 2024. MRF-D 24.3 is part of an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and Allies and partners and provide a forward-postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. Mulvihill is a native of New York. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian L. Bestul)

13th iteration of MRF-D Begins

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Featured Videos

MRF-D 24.3: Fox Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.) participates in field training exercise
Marine Rotational Force - Darwin
May 16, 2024 | 2:30
MRF-D 24.3: Fox Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.) participates in field training exercise
Marine Rotational Force - Darwin
May 16, 2024 | 2:30
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Reel: MRF-D 24.3 Marines rehearse air delivery from MV-22B Osprey
MRF-D 24.3 Marines play soccer against the Navy Football Federation Australia 
Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 24.3 mid-deployment wrap-up
Reel: MRF-D 24.3 Marines, Sailors rehearse TRAP
MRF-D 24.3: Fox Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.) participates in Jungle Warfare Training
Reel: MRF-D 24.3 U.S. Sailors participate in snake handling course
MRF-D 24.3 spotlight: Lance Cpl. Jordan Anderson
MRF-D 24.3: U.S. Marines, Australian Army participate in Exercise Thunder Walk 24
MRF-D 24.3 U.S. Marines, Sailors increase readiness with Allies, partners during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 24
MRF-D 24.3 spotlight: Sgt. Brandon McCraney
Reel: MRF-D 24.3: U.S. Marines, Australian Army fire M777A2 howitzers during Exercise Thunder Walk 24
Reel: MRF-D 24.3: U.S., Australia rehearses long range precision fires from concealed positions
MRF-D 24.3: Echo Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.) participates in Exercise Predators Walk
Reel: MRF-D 24.3: CLB-5 (Rein.) Marines, Sailors participate in Exercise Southern Jackaroo
U.S. Navy, ADF participate in Valkyrie emergency fresh whole blood transfusion training 
MRF-D 24.3: 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.), operate sUAS
MRF-D 24.3: Fox Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.) participates in field training exercise
Reel: MRF-D 24.3: Fox Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.) participates in field training exercise
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Reel: MRF-D 24.3 MV-22B Ospreys take off for first flight of MRF-D 24.3 rotation
MRF-D 24.3 spotlight: Cpl. Alfred Wells shares his story as an Inuit, U.S. Marine  
REEL: MRF-D 24.3 participates in table top exercise at U.S. Embassy in PNG
Reel: MRF-D 24.3 U.S. Marines, Sailors arrive in C-40A to Papua New Guinea for HADR exercise
MRF-D 24.3: U.S. Marines, Sailors honor Anzac Day in Darwin
Reel: MRF-D 24.3 Marines stage equipment, tactical vehicles
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Reel: MRF-D 24.3 Marines visit HMAS Canberra, HMAS Choules, U.S. Embassy Australia
Reel: U.S., Australia rehearse close-quarters tactics
Reel: Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 arrives at RAAF Base Darwin
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Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 23
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MRF-D participates in Super Garuda Shield 2023
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Southern Jackaroo 2023
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I Marine Expeditionary Force