The 2025 iteration of the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) is heading home after a successful six-month rotation. 

Since March, approximately 2,500 Marines and sailors have participated in training exercises in Australia, the South West Pacific and South East Asia. 

MRF-D participation in exercises such as Balikatan, Alon, Super Garuda Shield, Talisman Sabre, Southern Jackaroo and Operation Render Safe highlight the close interoperability between the Australian Defence Force, United States Marine Corps (USMC) and regional partners. 

The 2025 United States Marine Corps (USMC) rotation to Northern Australia expanded US interoperability with the ADF and partners in both Australia and the region. 

The Australia–US alliance is our most important defence relationship and is central to Australia’s strategic and security arrangements.

Since its first iteration in 2012, MRF-D’s six-month rotational deployment has grown in scale and complexity each year. 

The USMC will return to the Northern Territory in early 2026 for the fifteenth MRF-D rotation, as part of the United States Force Posture Initiatives.

Quotes attributable to Commander Headquarters Northern Command, Group Captain Melissa Neilson:

“This iteration of MRF-D was another success considering the shared goals both the ADF and USMC were able to achieve this rotation.”

“In addition to training activities, the visiting US military personnel have shown their appreciation to the NT community, through meaningful community engagement activities.”

“The Marine Rotational Force-Darwin is an example of how Australia and the US are committed to ensuring a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Quotes attributable to Commanding Officer Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2025, Colonel Jason C. Armas:

“This rotation demonstrates the strength of Marines and the ADF operating side by side.”

“What began fourteen years ago as training in Australia has grown into integrated operations across the region and a force capable of responding to crisis and contingency.”

“MRF-D continues to grow in scale and complexity, this year we’ve trained not only in Australia but alongside our partners in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.” 

“We’re moving beyond interoperability to interchangeability, this rotation demonstrated our combined ability to rapidly project forces forward and uphold a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

Media note

More information is available at: https://www.defence.gov.au/programs-initiatives/united-states-force-posture-initiatives/marine-rotational-force-darwin-initiative

Imagery and video content will be available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20252899 and Defense Visual Information Distribution Service: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MRF-D