The annual deployment of United States Marines to Darwin reached a peak this year of 2500. This deployment is underwritten by the Force Posture Agreement (FPA) between the US and Australian governments, which was signed in 2014 and was an outcome of President Obama's 'Pivot to Asia' strategy for the US military. It meant relocating US military forces from the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific to confront and contain China.
The FPA contains the following open-door policies to the US: It gives the US Air Force unimpeded access to Australia's airfields and facilities for their fighters and bombers as well as seaports for their naval ships; and it gives the US military and its contractors access to and use of 'agreed facilities' for refuelling of aircraft, bunkering of vessels, temporary maintenance of vehicles, vessels and aircraft. In addition, it allows for 'temporary accommodation of personnel, pre-positioning of communications equipment, supplies, fuel and ordinance and materials and deploying forces and materials as the parties may agree'.
One could infer that, in reality, this FPA is enabling the US to set up Australia as its southern base for combat operations in the Asia-Pacific area. One could also be excused for thinking that Australia must be in a state of war, not peace. Yet the last Defence White Paper made the point no less than three times that no military threat to Australia could be identified in the foreseeable future.
Defence Connect, a publication focused on military issues for Australia, stated recently: 'As China has expanded its ballistic missile and long-range strike capabilities, America's traditional "Fortress of the Pacific" — Guam — is now exposed, paving the way for Darwin to emerge as a second US "Fortress of the Pacific".'
A reasonable question would be: For what purpose is this US military build-up in the NT, and is this in the best interests of the Australian people? The recent Talisman Sabre war rehearsal carried out on and off the Queensland coast in the Great Barrier Reef and Stranage Bay provides some answers to this question.
A massive military force of 34,000 troops, 200 planes and 60 naval vessels comprised of US, Australian, Japanese, UK and Canadian forces practised the new US war strategy of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO). This is a tactic involving amphibious landing of troops on islands for seizure and capture as part of a forward projection of sea and airpower aimed at a mainland. US Marines practised this scenario earier this year when they captured Le Shima, an island off the coast of Okinawa.
Alex Lockie of the Business Insider (29 January 2019) said of this activity: 'The US Marine Corp is developing a new concept of naval warfare to take South China Sea Islands from Beijing in the context of a massive missile fight on the Pacific.' Global Research on 22 January 2019, referring to the same US Marine operation, said that EABO 'will allow Marines to seize, establish and operate multiple small bases across the Pacific Ocean, a tactic that will be beneficial in a high end fight with China'.
"Are our best interests so aligned with the US that we would risk such a war and make an enemy of China?"
The HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra have been modified to support amphibious troop landings and US Marines have been imbedded on these naval ships in recent war rehearsals. The Australian Defence Department, in its environmental report on Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS19) confirms the intent of this war rehearsal saying: 'With an increased focus on amphibious capability, many of the activities comprising this exercise are comparable to those which would support ... EABO ... '
The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN), in a recent Media Release (14 July 2019) argued that the integration with US forces in Talisman Sabre 'inevitably draws Australia into future US "war coalitions" as occurred with the disastrous wars waged against Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Above all, TS19 must be seen within the context of the determination of the USA to remain the dominant military power in the region. Coupled with the USA's enthusiasm for the development of "Fortress Darwin" as a major US base in the region, the TS19 war exercises resemble a rehearsal for war with China.'
IPAN has also argued that TS19 'affirms the intent of the United States to prepare for war with China', and 'also reinforces the IPAN campaign to end the stationing of US Marines in Darwin'.
IPAN believes that every effort should be made to keep Australia out of yet another US war overseas and especially against China, our major trading partner. If such a war resulted, the US Marines in Darwin would draw fire, perhaps missiles, on the Northern Territory. For Australia's peace and security, we need to see an end to the stationing of US marines in Darwin and an end to war rehearsals with the United States.
China does not threaten Australia. Loss of trade with China resulting from a US war against China supported by Australia would be a disaster for our economy and for jobs. The US may have a problem with China but does it necessarily follow that Australia does as well? Are our best interests so aligned with the US that we would risk such a war and make an enemy of China? Darwin has suffered in the past from an enemy; do the people of Darwin want to experience that again?
Bevan Ramsden is a member of the coordinating committee of IPAN (Independent and Peaceful Australia Network).
IPAN has organised a national public conference in Darwin, 2-4 August, 2019 with a focus on the US Marines in Darwin and under the conference banner of 'Australia at the crossroads: Time for an independent foreign policy'. Bookings here
Main image: US Marines take up defensive positions after completing a beach landing on 22 July 2019 in Bowen, Australia. Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 is the largest exercise that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) conducts with all four services of the United States armed forces. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)