The first of 1250 US Marines have touched down in Darwin as they “stand ready to fight” against North Korea should the situation escalate.
The Marines began arriving in Australia’s tropical north on Tuesday for a six‑month deployment during which they will conduct exercises with Australian and visiting Chinese forces.
Commanding Officer of Marine Rotational Force Darwin Lieutenant Colonel Brian Middleton, says the 1250 US Marine deployment to Darwin stands ready to fight if tensions between his country and North Korea escalate into direct conflict.
He is leading the sixth and most complex US marine air‑ground task force to be deployed to the Territory.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group to sail near the Korean peninsula as a show of force aimed at deterring North Korea from conducting more missiles tests.
Pyongyang launched a failed missile test on Sunday and has warned Washington against taking military action against North Korea.
Source: News.com.au
