US marines sent to Australia as part of Trump's aggression towards North Korea
US marines have been deployed in Australia as part of Donald Trump’s focus towards Asia in foreign policy and comes days after an ‘armada’ intended for North Korea sailed Down Under.
Among the equipment is four tilt-rotor MV-22 Ospreys
Since before taking office the billionaire was highly critical of China, and has grilled Asia with renewed vigour since taking office, including singling out North Korea.
He has previously claimed Asian allies need to step up efforts around ensuring stability and contribute their fair share towards security, but confirmed he was committed to defending allies in the region from mounting North Korean aggression.
As part of the security pivot towards Asia, highly skilled US marines are being deployed to Darwin, Northern Australia.
The move, which comes amid heightened tensions in the region, will see 1,250 marines posted by plane, beginning on Tuesday.
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That figure is still well below the plan to deploy 2,500 marines to Australia under the initiative, but there were plans to enlarge the troops to try and reach that figure, a marines commander confirmed.
The contingent will take part in joint training manoeuvres under a 25-year programme started under president Barack Obama in 2011.
The move, which comes amid heightened tensions in the region, will see 1,250 marines
Marines' commander, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Middleton, said: “The deployment of a Marine Air Ground Taskforce to Australia certainly continues to communicate a sustained commitment to the region, I believe that's why we continue to see the growth and the evolution of the (taskforce).
"I'm well aware of all the tensions, certainly, there's no lack of activity and things to keep either Australian or American attention in the Pacific area of influence here.
We'll continue to proceed and eventually get to the 2,500
"I think at the right time when our interoperability gets to the point that it needs to, and when both countries agree to it, we'll continue to proceed and eventually get to the 2,500.”
Alongside the troops 13 aircraft were also sent, the largest aircraft detachment from US posted to Australia in peacetime history.
The contingent will take part in joint training manoeuvres under a 25-year programme
Among the equipment is four tilt-rotor MV-22 Ospreys, which expands the range of the marines to 850 nautical miles.
That means from their base they can reach most parts of Indonesia.
The six-month schedule also includes training with Australian, Japanese and Chinese troops.
The figure is still well below the plan to deploy 2,500 marines to Australia
The deployment comes as Donald Trump stoked tensions with North Korea by claiming an “armada” was heading their way.
But it later emerged the four warships the president claimed were earmarked for Pyongyang were in fact heading to Australia to take part in military exercises with the Australian Navy.