NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia - After six months forward-deployed in Australia, the Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division completed their mission as the 2015 Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, returning at the end of October out of Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, to their home in Camp Pendleton, California.

This year’s rotation was the fourth overall and second reinforced battalion-sized deployment in which U.S. Marines were based at the Australian Defence Force’s Robertson Barracks to train alongside Australian soldiers in the Australian “Top End,” supporting their long-standing alliance.

In addition to their involvement in U.S.-Australian exercises such as Predator Walk, Koolendong and Talisman Sabre, platoon-sized elements of 1st Battalion, 4th Marines traveled to Timor-Leste and the Kingdom of Tonga to conduct multinational training with a wide range of defense forces. The rotational deployment in Darwin enables Marines to more effectively train and operate with global partners, enhancing regional solidarity and building the capacity to respond more rapidly to natural disasters and crises.

Between training events, the Marines and sailors took part in community engagements throughout the Northern Territory, adding depth to the relationship with their welcoming hosts. From ongoing school and youth detention center mentorship programs to local park exhibit restorations, they positively contributed to the Darwin community through the many opportunities to give back.

Overall, this year’s Marine Rotational Force strengthened existing ties and forged new ones, continuing to make strategic impacts while promoting security throughout the Asia-Pacific region. A new Marine Corps battalion will return to Darwin in 2016, ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder with their Australian allies, improving operational readiness in one of the most unique and challenging deployments the U.S. Marine Corps supports.