Queensland, Australia. (August 22, 2022): In this photo by Corporal Cedar Barnes, U.S. Marine Corporal Luc Cogger, a radio operator with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment and Sergeant Terrance Jones, a joint terminal attack controller, guide an MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Rotational Force Darwin to a safe landing during mass casualty event exercises at Australia’s Shoalwater Bay Training Area. U.S. Marines are returning to six-month deployments to the land down under after a three-year hiatus due to COVID 19 restrictions.
Queensland, Australia. (August 22, 2022): Always the “tip of the spear”, the U.S. Marines are returning to Australia in force as America and her allies gear up to confront a growing menace from China. Over 2,200 Marines deployed from Camp Pendleton, California along with a detachment of soldiers from the U.S. Army Pacific to the Australian port city of Darwin recently to begin a six-month deployment.
The Marines will train with Australian troops and other friendly forces to respond to crises, both military and humanitarian, in the Indo-Pacific region. This is the eleventh deployment of America’s finest since 2012 and represents a continued commitment to America’s defense umbrella for the region. Elements of the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division began arriving this week restarting a six-month rotation of forces interrupted in recent years by COVID-19.
The ”Fighting Fifth” participated in the famous Battle of Belleau Wood during World War I where the Marines earned their moniker “Devil Dogs” from the enemy due to their ferocity in battle. The Fifth Marines went on to serve in the bloodiest fighting in the pacific during WWII including the battle for Guadalcanal and Okinawa. During the Korean War, the 5th Marines landed at Inchon and later survived the frozen battle of the Chosin Reservoir and fought at Khe Sahn during the Viet Nam War.
This storied American regiment continues to play a vital role in America’s contribution to the recently signed AUKUS Agreement with Australia and Britain to defend the Indo-Pacific region from Chinese aggression.
Six-month deployments take their toll on Marines and their families, and they deserve our full support. You can do your part to help active duty deployed servicemembers, like these, through our Yellow Ribbon Care Packages to boost morale. By donating to our Patriot Brigade®, you will join thousands of patriots who make monthly donations that pay for comfort items and recreational programs for our military deployed around the world. Please go to our secure website https://supportourtroops.org/donate to contribute to America’s finest today!