The first detachment of 200 US Marines has arrived in Darwin, Australia, where a permanent joint training hub is taking shape as part of the US military's shift back to the Asia-Pacific region. The American deployment will begin six months of training in the Northern Territory, cementing Australia's enhanced defense co-operation with the United States.

The first contingent of 200 US Marines to be deployed in Australia arrive at RAAF Base Darwin overnight on April 3, 2012.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith told the Marines on Wednesday that their arrival was a historic day in the 61-year-old alliance between Australia and the United States.

Stephen Smith said, "You are here today because more than 60 years ago, Australia and the United States forged an alliance, an alliance which has served us well for over 60 years, an alliance forged in the Pacific during World War II in defence of Australia, in defence of the Pacific, in defence of the United States, in defence of democracy and freedom."

US Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich called the Asia-Pacific region the "most dynamic area in the world."

Jeffrey Bleich said, "This is the fastest growing economic area and also the one that is enduring the greatest demographic change and we want to make sure that it continues to be a peaceful, prosperous and stable area."

The first contingent of 200 US Marines to be deployed in Australia arrive at RAAF Base Darwin overnight on April 3, 2012.

The Commander of the US Marine Corps Forces in the Pacific Lieutenant-General Duane Thiessen says the deployment is "a fantastic opportunity to do the kind of training that Marines and soldiers do everywhere."

Lieutenant-General Duane Thiessen said, "For us it is a fantastic opportunity to do the kind of training that Marines and soldiers do everywhere, except that your ranges, and doing it with an ally, are unprecedented. This is just a fantastic place to come and enhance our skills, enhance our professional relationship with both allies and our professional capabilities internal to the unit."

During US President Barack Obama's visit to Australia last November, the two countries announced new defense alliance initiatives. These include sending more US military aircraft to Australia and rotating up to 2,500 Marines to enhance American presence in the region. They will conduct individual training, small-unit training, and full company size training with Australian soldiers.