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On Wednesday, Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds has confirmed in a statement that Australia’s commitment to US alliance co-operation and confirmed that a modified 2020 Marine Rotational Force-Darwin deployment can proceed.
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The minister has confirmed she has spoken with US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper reaffirming the alliance.
"Our alliance is based on shared values and close friendship. As we have done for over 100 years, we band together in times of crisis, just as we are now in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic," stated Minister Reynolds.
They confirmed the importance of co-operation through the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining momentum towards shared goals in the region.
"We agreed that the pandemic has only served to reinforce the importance of the Alliance between our two nations. Our defence organisations’ focus is now on maintaining force readiness and helping our partners in the Pacific and south-east Asia," Minister Reynolds said.
"We are continuing to train and operate together, as recently seen with HMAS Parramatta’s activities with the US Navy in the South China Sea."
Minster Reynolds was also able to confirm with Secretary Esper that after careful consideration, the government has decided that a modified 2020 Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) can proceed later this year, adhering to strict measures in place to protect against COVID-19.
The MRF-D for 2020 had been paused in March as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world and strict travel restrictions were put in place by governments across the world, including limiting military training operations.
The Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF–D) initiative involves the annual rotation of US Marines through northern Australia for approximately six months during the dry season.
While in Australia, the MRF–D undertakes a range of activities including training unilaterally and with the Australian Defence Force and other Indo-Pacific nations. The MRF–D initiative has grown in size and complexity since the first rotation of 200 US Marines in 2012. The 2019 rotation consisted of 2,500 US Marines.
The decision was based on Australia’s record to date in managing the impacts from COVID-19, as well as strict adherence by deployed US Marines to the mandatory 14-day quarantine and other requirements.
Hosting this key Alliance activity provides interoperability benefits as well as signals our firm joint commitment to regional security. It is a clear testimony to the strength and value of the Australia-US alliance.
"Secretary Esper and I confirmed our respective commitment to ensuring the health and safety of Australians, with special provision for local Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory," the statement said.
"In our discussions, I noted how impressed I am by the cooperation between our Defence Science and Technology experts in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
"Australian and US researchers, with the Five Nation Research and Development Council, are examining the survival of the virus that causes COVID-19 on various surfaces, and how it is impacted by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.
"We look forward to further discussing ways that the Alliance can deal with the long-term strategic and economic impacts of the pandemic leading up to AUSMIN this year."
