UNITED State's answer to 3RAR recently arrived in Australia with all the precision and skill expected a highly trained regiment.

1Btn 501 Parachute Infantry Regiment, US Army, landed at Singleton Field Firing Range at precisely 0900 hours, to begin their preparation for Exercise Tandem Thrust.

There were only two minor casualties, both of which were treated and the men quickly rejoined their unit.

In unit formation the para-troopers marched to the MTR where they were processed by Australian customs health, quarantine and immigration services.

The flight from Alaska took 20 hours. 265 soldiers travelled in four C-141 Starlifter Heavy Jet Transport aircraft. During the flight across the Pacific, there were two in-flight aerial re-fuelings.

Lt-Col Kammermann CO 1Btn 501 PIR said the regiment is the only airborne battalion in the United States Army.

"This gives a strategic mission for us to be able to deploy just like we did today. Both strategically and able to conduct a forcible entry operation."

"We're here for a joint combined exercise and the primary mission that we have, is to participate with 3RAR, our para-trooper brethren in the Australian Army.

"We're going to be here for three weeks and get a chance to do a cultural exchange, share ideas, tactics, techniques and procedures with 3RAR. We'll work a high level exercise and also let our guys have some time to enjoy the country."

Also known as the Geronimos, 501 PIR traces its regimental history back to pre-D-Day landings at night in Normandy.

The battalion travelled from snowy Anchorage, Alaska to a mild Sydney autumn.

Lt-Col Kammermann said when the battalion left the US they were farewelled with snow.

"There is six inches of snow on the ground, which is not unusual, but not something our families were fond of - having us stop in Hawaii, then Australia."