US bombers were given air access in the Top End as part of their mission to target Houthi forces in Yemen, the Department of Defence has confirmed.

It remains unclear what damage or how many casualties were inflicted.

However, it was revealed the Australian Government had a role in the mission, with the Department of Defence confirming contribution.

“Australia provided support for US strikes conducted on 17 October 2024 targeting Houthi facilities in Yemen, through access and overflight for US aircraft in northern Australia,” a Defence spokesperson said.

Defence maintains the bombers did not operate from any Royal Australian Air Force base, contrary to speculation online which reported RAAF Base Tindal, in Katherine, to have launched the airframes.

The Department of Defence has confirmed Australia provided support for the US strikes on underground bunkers used by Yemen's Houthi rebels "through access and overflight for USA aircraft in northern Australia".

The US said its strikes were ordered by President Joe Biden to degrade the Houthi weapons stores and send a message to "our adversaries", which includes Iran.

An Australian official said the support was "consistent with our long-standing alliance commitment and close cooperation, demonstrating the interoperability of our militaries".

"It is a clear demonstration that the US Air Force can operate B-2s from forward Australian bases to deliver precision strikes at a range that could also encompass targets in China.

Deep in the outback, a flurry of construction by Australia and the United States is transforming this once quiet military installation into a potential launchpad in case of conflict with China.

Runways are being expanded and strengthened to accommodate the allies’ biggest airplanes, including American B-52 bombers. A pair of massive fuel depots is rising side by side to supply U.S. and Australian fighter jets. And two earth-covered bunkers have been built for U.S. munitions.

But the activity at RAAF Tindal, less than 2,000 miles from the emerging flash points of the South China Sea, isn’t unique. Across Australia, decades-old facilities — many built by the United States during World War II — are now being dusted off or upgraded amid growing fears of another global conflict.

Marles declined to comment on the increasing rotations ... but said the trajectory is “an increasing American force posture in Australia.”

As the US prepares to increase its military presence across northern Australia, a Darwin-based policy expert is urging the next Northern Territory government to land a “fair and reasonable deal” with the Commonwealth ahead of the arrival of American firepower.

The appeal comes after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared the US would deploy more personnel and combat aircraft to northern Australia amid escalating tension across the Indo-Pacific region.

“We’re also increasing the presence of rotational US forces in Australia, and all this will mean more maritime patrol aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft operating from bases across northern Australia,” Mr Austin told a press conference in Maryland.

“It will also mean more frequent rotational bomber deployments.”

While Mr Austin did not specify how many personnel or assets would arrive to Australia – or when – the announcement was met with enthusiasm by Solomon MP Luke Gosling, who said up to $18 billion would support the big move to the Territory.

The defence minister, Richard Marles, has refused to say when American B-52 aircraft will start operating from the Northern Territory.

Asked a direct question about whether he knew when B-52 aircraft would start their deployments from the RAAF base in Tindal, 320km south-east of Darwin, he replied:

Look, I’m not about to go into those details. Again, we are working very closely with our American partners.

There is a significant force posture initiative that’s being undertaken between ourselves and the United States, which I might say is seeing enormous American investment in our northern bases here at Darwin and Tindal, but across the north, that [provides] a huge advantage for our country.

The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can carry out ocean surveillance and anti-ship operations and “can carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance”