More than 1000 US Marines have completed quarantine in the Northern Territory, with training now well underway as part of this year's Marine Rotational Force - Darwin.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the release of the last US Marines from quarantine marked a significant milestone for this year's rotation.
"The discharge of the final group of personnel from quarantine demonstrates the effectiveness of the testing and monitoring regime established with the Territory Government," Minister Reynolds said.
"With one positive result captured at initial entry and no further infections, the successful management of the arrival of the US Marines reflects the efforts and planning by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Northern Territory Government and MRF-D.
"The regime of screening, quarantine and testing underscores the priority placed on protecting the local community from COVID-19."
MRF-D medical personnel will continue to monitor and oversee the health of the Marines for the duration of this year's visit.
US Marines have been undertaking a modified training program at various Defence training facilities around the greater Darwin area, including Mount Bundey and Kangaroo Flats.
This year's program will culminate with Exercise Koolendong, running from early to mid-September.
This annual exercise will showcase US and Australian interoperability in a range of activities, from humanitarian assistance through to high-end warfighting activities, including large-scale live fire.
Colonel David Banning, Commanding Officer, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin said MRF-D's close coordination with Australian counterparts was key to the successful completion of the quarantine process.
"As we progress in our training, we will demonstrate our crisis response capability and continue to improve interoperability through our long-standing exercise, Koolendong," Colonel Banning said.
"The strong relationship between MRF-D and the ADF enhances regional security."
The US Marine who tested positive to COVID-19 in early July remains in isolation at the Royal Darwin Hospital pending confirmation of a negative test result.
Meanwhile, a 20-year-old man has been issued with an infringement fine of $5056 after attempting to leave mandatory quarantine accommodation in Darwin earlier Sunday.
The man, who was on his final day of the mandatory 14 day quarantine period, was intercepted by police and facility personnel when he attempted to leave the Howard Springs Quarantine Facility around 10.30am.
The man will remain at the facility to finish the mandatory isolation quarantine period.
Incident Controller, Acting Commander Sachin Sharma said all community members are required to comply with the Chief Health Officer's directions to maintain a Covid-19 free Territory.
"Directions are in place to keep all Territorians safe and we do take the breaches seriously," said A/Cmdr Sharma
"We will intervene and enforce the directions that are so critical to maintain public health. The NT Police, Health and all of our partnered agencies are working tirelessly to achieve only one outcome and that is to keep everyone safe, but in order to achieve this we need full participation from the community."
Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
