USE THIS ONEAustralian Army personnel and United States Marines from Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) have completed Exercise Koolendong, a high-end live-fire warfighting exercise in the Northern Territory. Exercise Koolendong was conducted at the Mount Bundey Training Area from 1 to 11 September.

US Marines with Ground Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, receive a brief about the upcoming offensive and defensive operations missions during Exercise Koolendong at Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory.

The exercise enhanced the ability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and MRF-D to work together to rapidly respond to crises and assist partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Just over 1,000 US Marines from MRF-D partnered with approximately 400 Australian Army personnel from 1st Brigade and 1st Aviation Regiment, to conduct infantry manoeuvres supported by aviation, logistics and indirect fire support.

Koolendong tested the Marine Corps’ and Australian Defence Force’s ability to conduct a range of crisis response and contingency operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds observed the bilateral training during her week-long visit to the Northern Territory, accompanied by the US Ambassador to Australia Arthur Culvahouse. Both agreed the exercise reflected the enduring partnership and interoperability that exists between Australia and the United States.

US Marines with Ground Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, conduct offensive and defensive operations at Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory.

MRF-D Commanding Officer Colonel David Banning said Koolendong was designed to build proficiency and interoperability between the Marines and the ADF to better respond to security challenges in the region. “The exercise provided the long-anticipated opportunity for the US Marines, currently deployed to Darwin, to engage with our Australian counterparts and build upon the long history of military cooperation between our two nations,” Banning said.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nathan Beermann with Ground Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, prepares to rush an expedient bangalore in order to breech a barrier during offensive and defensive operations conducted during Exercise Koolendong at Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia.

Commander Headquarters Northern Command, Group Captain Stewart Dowrie said this year was the most complex scenario ever attempted, with highly defined interoperability objectives and a deeper focus on exercise design. “Koolendong had enhanced collective readiness and prepared the ADF and US Marines extremely well in the lead-up to the MRF-D 2021 rotation and next year’s Exercise Talisman Sabre,” Dowrie said.

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