U.S. Marines train in Australia

CANBERRA, Australia, April 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Marines were arriving in Australia Wednesday on a fifth six-month rotation for training and exercises with Australian troops as part of the U.S. strategic rebalance in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Australian Department of Defense said the rotation to Australia's Northern Territory involves about 1,250 U.S. Marines, a detachment of four Bell UH-1Y Venom helicopters and a range of equipment. They will be based at Robertson Barracks, RAAF Base Darwin and at Defense Establishment Berrimah.

"This year's rotation is expected to be a busy one, with a range of complex and diverse combined activities, aimed at achieving greater cooperation, understanding and interoperability between Australian and US forces," Australia's DOD said. "These rotations provide excellent training benefits for both forces, and present a unique opportunity for the Australian Defense Force and the U.S. Marines to train together; preparing them for the types of operations they are conducting together in the Middle East."

Joint training this rotation will include military forces from both Japan and China and provide opportunities to engage with other partners in the Asia-Pacific region.