THE state-of-the-art warship USS America is slated to join a record contingent of Marines in Darwin this dry season, according to US Navy chiefs. More than 1100 American Marines will arrive in Darwin this month. The US Navy has been developing plans to send ships to Darwin Harbour, effectively allowing the Marine contingent to rapidly deploy anywhere in the Asia-Pacific region. Initial plans for the Marine rotation were to expand to 2500 troops a year by 2016 or 2017. Reports from the US suggest the build-up will reach its peak sooner rather than later.

Plans are also afoot to send amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard, amphibious transport dock Green Bay and dock landing ship Ashland to the Top End this year.

MORE than 1000 US Marines will begin arriving in the Top End in the coming weeks for the fourth Marine Rotation Force-Darwin. The 2015 rotation will see about 1150 Marines, mostly from 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California, calling the Top End home for six months of the dry season. Four CH-53E helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, will also be part of the rotation. Commander of Northern Command, Commodore Brenton Smyth, said the Marines would train with Aussie troops and by themselves at defence facilities in the Northern Territory. “This is now the fourth rotation of Marines to Northern Australia and we continue to build greater understanding and co-operation between our two forces with each new ­rotation,” he said.

The number of Marines in the annual deployment will increase to 2500 in coming years. Chief Minister Adam Giles said the NT Government had appointed a Strategic Defence Advisory Board to help secure some of the Australian Defence Force’s $600 million of federal funding on offer during the next five years, saying: “I want to see this grow even further.”

Jonathan Greenert, U.S. Chief of Navy Operations, said the navy base in Australia will hold warships that will become part of an Amphibious Ready Group, acting as support group to a Marine Air Ground Task Force. Reflecting reluctance on both sides to permanently station US troops on Australian soil, a spokesman for Greenert later said the increased US naval presence in the country would be rotational, which he characterized as “placing and not basing.” Amid longstanding plans to rotate up to 2,500 US marines at a base outside of Darwin for six months every year, Washington has already identified warships which would form an Amphibious Ready Group to support a Marine Air Ground Task Force. That group would include a large amphibious assault carrier and two smaller helicopter carriers. The plan would also require the expansion of Darwin’s port. “Now, the question is by when do they need to be ready, will they come in all three, or one or two at a time,” Adm. Greenert said.

and, to everyone's shock and horror, we learn about this significant new development in our subservient relationship with the USA military via USA military leaders in foreign media outlets. #ausFailure

THE US Navy is considering increasing its presence in the Top End, a move that could see US ships based in Darwin. Neither the Territory’s ­Defence Industry minister nor the Australian Navy commented on the US plans. The Australian Navy also did not respond to questions about the US Navy’s plans, ­including whether nuclear-powered ships would enter the harbour, or whether public consultation would take place over an increased US Navy presence in Darwin.

He described the Marines’ presence in Darwin as being key to the US military’s operations in the Pacific. “It’s a big deal and a big part of our alliance in the Asia-Pacific,” he said. “We’re working towards a marine unit to be working out of Darwin by the next decade.”

A UNITED States sailor accused of raping a woman in Darwin allegedly admitted the crime and told the victim he attempted suicide in a private message on social media, prosecutors have said. Hugh Patrick Malone, 23, has denied an allegation that he “digitally” raped a woman — within hours of having sex with her friend — during a dodgy night out on Darwin’s party strip in September, 2013. His lawyer Tom Berkley told a the NT Supreme Court jury victim’s claim was a “case of regret, not rape”. He urged the jury to “pay close attention to the relationship the girls and sailors had built up”. Crown prosecutor Matthew Nathan said the accused messaged the woman on facebook after the crime. He apologised and said what he did was wrong. She replied: “You forced yourself on me.” Malone allegedly wrote to the woman: “I tried to rape you, I tried to kill myself.”

The court is closed to the public while the victim gives evidence. The jury heard she and two friends hit the clubs every night Malone’s ship USS Denver was in town to “meet sailors”. The victim reportedly hooked up with another sailor who will give evidence at the trial via video link. Malone and his “liberty buddy” had met the victim and her friends several times at city bars and organised to catch up at Monsoons nightclub, on Mitchell St, on September 4. Malone hired a room at Melaleuca Lodge where he had sex with one of the women. The pair returned to the club before Malone hit on the victim, Mr Nathan said. She said no. Malone allegedly invited the woman to come and “check out of the room” with him as he had to get back to the ship. “Her intention was to move on to spend the night with (her partner) who was staying at the Value Inn,” Mr Nathan said. He said the woman was confused when she saw Malone’s room was empty. He allegedly pulled her inside and shut the door, kissing her “roughly” despite her protests. Mr Nathan said Malone held down the woman on the bed and sexually assaulted her. The jury heard he stopped and apologised when she began to cry. The trial continues.