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Representatives from the US Indo-Pacific Command are set to tour military bases in Australia in a bid to explore opportunities to enhance logistics collaboration.
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A US delegation, led by US Indo-Pacific Command’s Director for Logistics and Engineering, Brigadier General Jered Helwig, have announced plans to visit bases and facilities in Australia to advance commitments announced following the Australian-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2021.
These commitments included the establishment of combined logistics, sustainment, and maintenance enterprise to support high end warfighting and combined military operations in the region.
Brigadier Jason Walk, acting Commander Joint Logistics Command, is sponsoring the delegation.
“Aligning Australian and US understanding of the Northern Australian environment and the Defence logistics enterprise capabilities is central to achieving an effective AUSMIN outcome,” BRIG Walk said.
“The visit will focus on logistics opportunities and challenges in our Northern Region, our networks and infrastructure, and interoperability enhancement.”
BG Helwig noted the importance of strengthening ties between the long-standing Indo-Pacific partners.
“The Indo-Pacific Region is the priority theatre for the United States and working alongside Australia is critically important in this long-term partnership to achieve our collective goals of maintaining peace and stability in the Region,” BG Helwig added.
“Our network of allies and partners is our greatest strategic asset and central to our goals to ensure a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.”
The logistics collaboration forms part of a broader plan to ramp up the US' military presence in Australia.
Commitments made during the AUSMIN discussions also included:
- enhanced air co-operation through the rotational deployment of US aircraft of all types in Australia and appropriate aircraft training and exercises;
- enhanced maritime co-operation by increasing logistics and sustainment capabilities of US surface and subsurface vessels in Australia;
- enhanced land co-operation by conducting more complex and more integrated exercises and greater combined engagement with allies and partners in the region; and
- the establishment of a combined logistics, sustainment, and maintenance enterprise to support high end warfighting and combined military operations in the region.
In addition to hosting troops in the Top End, Australia also agreed to welcoming US maritime and air platforms in the southern states.
This is expected to include submarines, bombers, and surveillance aircraft, the latter of which could be sustained at RAAF Base Richmond and RAAF Base Amberley.
[Related: US to ramp up military presence in Australia]
