U.S. – Australia Relations

US Marines Fly in for 'Southern Frontier'

Canberra — 15 June 2003

MSPA 14903/03

PACC 149/03 Sunday, 15 June 2003

From today, approximately 300 US Marines from Marine Aircraft Group 12 will start arriving at RAAF Base Darwin for a month of exercises to be held over the Delamere Bombing Range, south of Katherine.

This will be the first phase of a three-month exercise period, with Marines based at Darwin for the first two months, then at RAAF Base Tindal for the final month.

Major Bill Shannon of the US Marine Corps said, "Exercise Southern Frontier is an annual exercise held in the Northern Territory and an important part of our training schedule."

The Marines, equipped with F/A-18C Hornets, are normally based at Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan.

The training will include a number of sorties each day. Noise regulations around the approaches to the Darwin runway will be observed. The aircraft will the fly to Delamere Range to maintain aircrew combat proficiency and practice the bombing of ground targets, Monday through Friday weekly.

Major Shannon said the city of Darwin provides an outstanding opportunity for US Marines and Sailors to interact with the local community and experience Australian culture.

Original document from www.defence.gov.au.

Last update: Friday, 15 August 2008 GMT+1000