Marines based Down Under

[philw]

US MARINES will conduct private exercises by themselves on Australian soil for the first time under a military build up announced just hours after President Barack Obama landed for a whirlwind Australian visit.
The historic move increases America's involvement in the in the booming Asia-Pacific region as a counter the rise of China, India and Indonesia.

Mr Obama also made a personal plea to Australians who want to immediately end the mission in Afghanistan not to pull out too early as he paid tribute to our soldiers.

"What I'd say to the Australian people at this stage, is given the enormous investment that's been made - and the signs that we can in fact leave behind a country that's not perfect, but one that is more stable, more secure and does not provide safe haven for terrorists - it's appropriate for us to finish the job and do it right."

Mr Obama and Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced 250 US Marines will be stationed for six months in the Northern Territory from next year and by 2016 it will grow to 2500 Marines.
It's a small number for America but Mr Obama said it sent a signal to the rest of the world that America was stepping up its leadership'' in the Asia-Pacific.

"We are here to stay. This is a region of huge strategic importance to us," he said.

Under the deal, US aircraft including B52 bombers, F18s, Harriers, C130, C17 and the Global Hawk will more frequently fly in and out of Darwin and there may also be more nuclear-powered US warships in Australian waters, but sources said they would not carry nuclear weapons.

Mr Obama insisted it was not aimed at China. "The notion that we fear China is mistaken," he said but he issued China this warning: "With their rise comes increased responsibilities, it's important for them to play by the rules of the world''.

Mr Obama is the fifth US President to visit and the enthusiastic welcome was reminiscent of the first President to visit, Lyndon B Johnson in 1966, when Prime Minister Harold Holt declared Australia was "a staunch friend that will be all the way with LBJ".

Ms Gillard said his visit was "a special delight'' and Mr Obama called her "my friend Julia".

The new military pact was announced to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the formal ANZUS alliance.

Australia has been urging the US to step up its role in the Pacific when it reduces its numbers in Afganistan and Iraq.
There are already about 300 American soldiers in Australia at any given time under agreements struck in 1963. Recently 14,000 US troops took part in military training exercises.

The new deal will eventually see a full-size Marine Air Ground Task Force spending six months every year in the NT and using it as a base for humanitarian and disaster relief such as tsunamis, and a platform to launch military and combat operations.

They will spend most of their time at the Bradshaw Field Training Area - it is roughly the size of Belgium and located west of Katherine and north of Timber Creek. It will not be a US base but the US will pay its own costs. There will be joint exercises but the Americans will also train by themselves on Australian soil.


Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/third-time-lucky-as-president-barack-obama-jets-in-to-canberra/story-e6frfkvr-1226196775830#ixzz1droBTUMb

well that is good to hear IMO

now if anyone is coming over   I have a shopping list for you to just "forget to take home"  hehe

[Solus]

I sounds good, but only if what BHO considers in the best interest of the US (and Australia) are what the WE think they are.

For instance, BHO might think that assisting the growth and control Islam has in the region to be in everyone's best interest.

Also, from the write up:

Under the deal, US aircraft including B52 bombers, F18s, Harriers, C130, C17 and the Global Hawk will more frequently fly in and out of Darwin and there may also be more nuclear-powered US warships in Australian waters, but sources said they would not carry nuclear weapons.


Does anyone else find that difficult to believe?  Do they really expect us to believe that deployed nuclear subs will have to return to a port to be able to execute that portion of their mission plan?  Well, perhaps the game plan has changed since the end of the Cold War.

When I was stationed in Germany, our division did not have nuclear, chemical or biological weapons either.....unless you had the clearance to know the truth.

[fightingquaker13]

La la, la lalal la, lalala la. 
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

They were actually supposed to go to Hawaii but BO sent them to the wrong "Big Island" .

[jnevis]

When we went to Oz the Kitty Hawk could moor peirside in Fremantle but the Lincoln had to achor out due to being a CVN. 

Boomers don't exactly tie up just anywhere anyway.  Attack boats might but they'll treat them like the CVN's and they can't tie up, only anchor.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

When we went to Oz the Kitty Hawk could moor peirside in Fremantle but the Lincoln had to achor out due to being a CVN.  

Boomers don't exactly tie up just anywhere anyway.  Attack boats might but they'll treat them like the CVN's and they can't tie up, only anchor.

What bunch of crap.
Do these sissies realize that more people have been killed by grain ships than by US nuke powered ships ?
(Granted, I wouldn't want a Russian boat any where in my territorial waters. )

[fightingquaker13]

What bunch of crap.
Do these sissies realize that more people have been killed by grain ships than by US nuke powered ships ?
(Granted, I wouldn't want a Russian boat any where in my territorial waters. )

Its not the risk Tom, its about remaining a non-nuclear power. There has always been a tacit, though not explicit, understanding that non-nuclear nations wouldn't be nuked. Its what put teeth into the Non-proliferation Treaty. Letting a belligerent tie up a boomer at quay side kind of throws that out the window. You make them anchor out for appearances.
FQ13

[philw]

When we went to Oz the Kitty Hawk could moor peirside in Fremantle but the Lincoln had to achor out due to being a CVN. 

Boomers don't exactly tie up just anywhere anyway.  Attack boats might but they'll treat them like the CVN's and they can't tie up, only anchor.

cool I was living in Sydney when the Kitty Hawk came in to the harbour,  was great to get to go on board

   that was one big boat

[dipisc]

Hi;

     The Austrailian People have always been friends of the Americans. The 1st Marine Division was first formed there in WW2. A part of the Division Band performance will always include "Waltzing Matilda".  If I were younger or could Re-up for an extended time I would like to check the place out for a while.

     Despite the "exercises" this place could turn out to be like "Rosie Roads".

     If we pull out our troops from the countries that just want Yankee Dollars  or  Free Security  and send them to a Country that likes us for   US  is looks better for all.

[jnevis]

cool I was living in Sydney when the Kitty Hawk came in to the harbour,  was great to get to go on board

   that was one big boat

It ain't THAT big at 300kts and a mile or so out, at night, in crappy weather! (any weather or daylight for that matter)
Made Centurion on both boats (100+ arrested landings)

I only made it to Perth/Fremantle and Hobart.