1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: Haysh right now and you may have seen well marines 2 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:07,240 Speaker 1: around the top end the Marie Rotational Force Darwin twenty 3 00:00:07,320 --> 00:00:09,480 Speaker 1: twenty one has been in town. And joining me in 4 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:13,680 Speaker 1: the studio right now is Captain Thomas Devrees, the Strategic 5 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:18,160 Speaker 1: Communications Officer fort Marine Rotational Force for Darwin this year. 6 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 1: Good morning to you, Thomas. 7 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:20,599 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie. How are you? 8 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 1: Yeah? Really well, great to have you in the studio. 9 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: How many marines have we had in the top ends 10 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:27,640 Speaker 1: oring Darwin in recent times? 11 00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:31,160 Speaker 2: Well, for this year we had just over two thousand 12 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 2: marines and sailors to join the Marine Rotational Force Darman 13 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 2: for twenty twenty one. 14 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:37,880 Speaker 1: And have we been welcoming? How has it been? 15 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 2: Oh, it's been amazing. This community has always been for 16 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 2: years past up until now, the most welcoming community that 17 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 2: I think rually marines and sailors have ever been to. 18 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:52,920 Speaker 2: And it's just it always surprises, astonishes and impresses me 19 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 2: how supportive the Darwin community and the Northern Territory community 20 00:00:57,520 --> 00:01:01,200 Speaker 2: at large and even places that we send marines around 21 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 2: Australia have been to us being here. 22 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:05,480 Speaker 1: And what kind of work or what kind of training 23 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:08,680 Speaker 1: has been underway fool the Marine. Since I've been in Darwin. 24 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 2: Well, we've had a whole bunch of training events to 25 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:15,319 Speaker 2: take place since we arrived here in March April. We 26 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:19,640 Speaker 2: dove right into some Hamanitarian Assistance disaster relief exercises with 27 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:24,120 Speaker 2: the soldiers of First Brigade. We did some Mbassy Uni 28 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 2: enforcement drills. We did some training with the Brigade and 29 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 2: the Japanese Good Japan Ground Self Defense Force at Mount 30 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 2: Bundy for Exercise Southern Jakaru, which was a great time. 31 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 2: We've had so many training opportunities and we just finished 32 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:43,640 Speaker 2: Exercise Lubai and Kulandong, which was our final activity with 33 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 2: the soldiers of First Brigade, took place in bradshaw Field 34 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 2: Training Area. It's about a month long, very high tempo 35 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 2: lots to do, and we worked through a lot with 36 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:58,760 Speaker 2: First Brigade, ultimately leaning to a very very successful exercise 37 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 2: and a very successful demonstration of how well the Marines, 38 00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:05,600 Speaker 2: the sailors of the US Marine Corps and maybe and 39 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:07,480 Speaker 2: the soldiers of the First Brigade can operate. 40 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:09,880 Speaker 1: How important is it do you reckon to have that 41 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 1: training happen as well, and you know, work together with 42 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: Australian soldiers and be able to do it here in 43 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 1: the top end. 44 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:19,080 Speaker 2: Well, the top end is some of the best training 45 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 2: you're going to get in the entire world. So just 46 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:28,519 Speaker 2: being here alone is very, very valuable. This exercise that 47 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 2: we did at Couondong was a first opportunity for Marines 48 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 2: of Marine Rotational Force Starwin to work together in a 49 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:37,440 Speaker 2: combined headquarters with the staff of First Brigade and it 50 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 2: was the first time we've ever done that and it 51 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:43,680 Speaker 2: was challenging, but we learned a lot and ultimately all 52 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:46,680 Speaker 2: of the forces that were there operated under essentially a 53 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:50,359 Speaker 2: combined training task force at Exercise Couandong and it was 54 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:53,679 Speaker 2: just really amazing getting to see the leadership opportunities, the 55 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 2: staff challenges, and the soldiers and the Marines working together 56 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:00,519 Speaker 2: in the field to accomplish the same objective. 57 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:02,440 Speaker 1: And you said that it's some of the best training 58 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 1: that we do here, well, up here in DW Why 59 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:07,240 Speaker 1: is that? Is it the weather conditions? Is it the 60 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 1: you know, the people? What is it that makes it 61 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 1: the best? 62 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:12,000 Speaker 2: Well, people are great, absolutely, There's not a lot of 63 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:14,399 Speaker 2: people in Mount Bundy and Bradshaw though, and I think 64 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 2: that's exactly what it is. It's very austere. The weather 65 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:21,640 Speaker 2: can get very unforgiving at times. If you're not prepared, 66 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 2: lines of communication, logistic lines, the ability to get back 67 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:28,120 Speaker 2: to civilization is very difficult. So you need to plan 68 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 2: very fear in advance. But ultimately it leads to better 69 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:34,240 Speaker 2: training because you are preparing yourself better and you are 70 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 2: learning to adapt in austere environments. And we're learning to 71 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 2: do that with Australian counterparts, and we're learning from them 72 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 2: the challenges that they face all the time because they 73 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 2: are permanent residents here. 74 00:03:44,720 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 1: Of course. Now it's not just the training, though, is 75 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 1: that I know that the Marines actually volunteer at quite 76 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: a bit of quite a few local events as well, 77 00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:52,600 Speaker 1: don't they. 78 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's been really amazing to see all the events 79 00:03:55,880 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 2: that we've been able to support, everything from supporting ANZAC 80 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 2: Day and the various military related ceremonies that go on 81 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 2: here in the top end, to various non for profits 82 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 2: around here, animal shelters and food shelters, that sort of thing. 83 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:14,440 Speaker 2: It's been a great opportunity for Marines to not only 84 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:17,839 Speaker 2: get to doing their operational mission and supporting like what 85 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:20,280 Speaker 2: Murphy does, but get to spend some time to improve 86 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 2: the community in which we are living and working. 87 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 1: And so Thomas, what's the process now in terms of 88 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:28,040 Speaker 1: those marines returning home. 89 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, so as we wrap up this rotation here, we 90 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:34,200 Speaker 2: will start sending folks home over the course in the 91 00:04:34,200 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 2: next few months. As I mentioned, we just finished an exercise. 92 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 2: What we are leading into though, is we really want 93 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:46,040 Speaker 2: to thank the community for all of the support that 94 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 2: they've given us while we've been here, and the support 95 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:52,159 Speaker 2: we hope they continue to give for future rotations. So 96 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 2: this Friday, from three pm to six pm, we want 97 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:02,240 Speaker 2: to hold a essentially a community day for everybody here 98 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:05,839 Speaker 2: in the top End. That will be a display of 99 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 2: equipment and troops from both the Marine Rotational Force Starwin 100 00:05:08,839 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 2: and the soldiers from first Brigade, and a whole host 101 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 2: of stuff to see equipment, artillery pieces, vehicles, all that 102 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 2: sort of thing. 103 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:18,119 Speaker 1: So, yeah, I was gonna say, what exactly will people 104 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 1: be able to come down and see. I understand that 105 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:22,599 Speaker 1: there's robotic dogs and all sorts of things. 106 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:24,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, we'll bring one of those. We had one of 107 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:26,400 Speaker 2: those out of Kuondog. It was the first time I 108 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:29,760 Speaker 2: ever saw that. I can say that when you see that, 109 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 2: if you're seeing it for the first time, you're going 110 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 2: to get a kick of it. That is a brigade 111 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,599 Speaker 2: asset I believe they're testing. We're also going to have aircraft, 112 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 2: so we'll be able to fly in an Osprey, a Huey, 113 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:46,280 Speaker 2: a Cobra and an Australian Tiger Attack helicopter. We'll have 114 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:48,799 Speaker 2: a whole bunch of vehicles, everything from our hum v's 115 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:51,880 Speaker 2: to our large fleet recovery vehicles, that sort of thing, 116 00:05:52,960 --> 00:05:55,840 Speaker 2: artillery pieces, so an M triple seven howitzer, which is 117 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 2: a piece that both the Australians and the US use, 118 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 2: and then just some sort of crew served weapons displays 119 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:03,880 Speaker 2: and troops out there with some of their various kit 120 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 2: and equipment. 121 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,159 Speaker 1: Sounds like it's going to be quite amazing for the 122 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 1: community to actually get up close and personal and see 123 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 1: some of that equipment and some of those aircraft. I 124 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:14,920 Speaker 1: know that I know quite a few people who love, really, 125 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: you know, being able to view this type of thing 126 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 1: that you would ordinarily not be able to. And also 127 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:24,040 Speaker 1: the kids, they love getting to see these aircraft, don't they. 128 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 2: Oh, it's a huge pleasure to be able to put 129 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 2: on a show like this. We've had a couple of 130 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 2: successful community events that we've done while we've been here, 131 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 2: one in norm Boy over on the eastern side, and 132 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:38,680 Speaker 2: then one down in Bradshaw. We actually held a static 133 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 2: display of equipment for the folks of Timber Creek, the 134 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 2: traditional owner community there, and every time it's just, you know, 135 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 2: hours of just folks walking around staring at the equipment, 136 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:49,920 Speaker 2: seeing it move around, asking people what it does. And 137 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:52,480 Speaker 2: you're not wrong there the kids get a huge kicker. 138 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:56,159 Speaker 2: Usually the artillery pieces are a big one. Getting to 139 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 2: look at helicopters and things that they've probably never seen 140 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 2: before a big one. And we hope to provide that 141 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:02,720 Speaker 2: same thing for the folks here in the Darwin community. 142 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: Fantastic stuff. So if people want to come along, it's 143 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:07,559 Speaker 1: this Friday. Isn't it three till six pm? 144 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 2: Yep, So it's the Friday, the tenth of September. We 145 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 2: will open the front gate of Roberts and Barracks to 146 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 2: the public at three pm. They'll be able to basically 147 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 2: just drive in through that front gate. We'll have folks 148 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,840 Speaker 2: to park them. There will be rest facilities which they 149 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 2: can use well. We will be providing refreshments light refreshments 150 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 2: for sale, and they'll be able to essentially walk around 151 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:31,280 Speaker 2: the parade ground of Roberts and barracks and observe the equipment, 152 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 2: good stuff. 153 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:33,560 Speaker 1: I think it sounds like it'll be a great thing 154 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 1: to do, and will that be the opportunity as well. 155 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 1: It'll obviously be the opportunity for you guys to say 156 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 1: thanks for being here in the community, but for us, 157 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: I guess to say goodbye to some of those Marines 158 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 1: who've been here for a while. 159 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, we'll have some senior and leaders from Murphy and 160 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:51,560 Speaker 2: from the brigade to essentially stand up there towards the 161 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:53,040 Speaker 2: end of the event and give our thanks to the 162 00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:57,440 Speaker 2: Darwin community. You know, for some folks it is goodbye, 163 00:07:57,520 --> 00:08:00,360 Speaker 2: but for a lot of folks, see you later, because 164 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 2: a lot of people rotate back through here for you know, 165 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 2: future rotations. 166 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 1: Is done always on the wish list for the Marines. 167 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 2: Oh, I had to when I got stationed to OOKI 168 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 2: now I knew this was on the list of rotations 169 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 2: that I could or deployments that I could essentially go on, 170 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 2: and I had my eye on it from the second 171 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 2: I got there. And I'm fortunate to be here. 172 00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:23,280 Speaker 1: All good stuff. Why is it such a popular place 173 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:26,520 Speaker 1: for Marines to want to be stationed for a while. 174 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 2: The opportunity to work with the Australians is really unmatched. 175 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:37,440 Speaker 2: I've been fortunate enough to work alongside the ADF soldiers 176 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:40,520 Speaker 2: sailors from the ADF pretty much on every single deployment 177 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:44,120 Speaker 2: I've ever been on with the Marine Corps. It's so 178 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 2: much fun learning from Assie's getting to come down here 179 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:51,240 Speaker 2: and experience the austere and the tough training. It's challenging, 180 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:53,320 Speaker 2: but it is the greatest challenge you'll ever go through. 181 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 1: All good stuff. Well, so great to speak to you 182 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 1: this morning. Thomas Davres, Captain Thomas Davres, the Strategic Communications 183 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 1: Office for Marine Rotational four star and twenty twenty one. 184 00:09:03,480 --> 00:09:05,679 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for coming in and having a chat. 185 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:07,600 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for having me no problem.