U.S. Marines and Sailors Commence Exercise Predator’s Run 24 in Australia

MOUNT BUNDEY TRAINING AREA, Northern Territory, Australia – U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 24.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force have arrived to participate in Exercise Predator’s Run 24, starting on July 15, 2024. The exercise will run until August 8, 2024, across multiple locations in the Northern Territory and Melville Island.

Key Participants and Units

Exercise Predator’s Run 24 is a littoral-focused, multilateral training exercise led by the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade. It includes U.S. allies and partners such as the Australian Defence Force, the United Kingdom Commando Force, the Republic of the Philippines Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Navy.

MRF-D 24.3 is represented by:

• 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced)
• Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced)
• Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced)
• 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California

Exercise Objectives and Activities

“Exercise Predator’s Run 24 is an opportunity for us to enhance our interoperability with key Allies and partners,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian T. Mulvihill, the commanding officer of MRF-D 24.3 MAGTF.

During the exercise, MRF-D 24.3 will integrate into the Australian Defence Force’s Combat Training Centre 1st Division as a supporting effort to the Australian Army 1st Brigade’s order of battle. They will conduct warfighting and live-fire field evolutions, focusing on enhancing interoperability and sustaining mission-essential task list training readiness.

“This training is essential to test and refine our ability to execute and integrate battle drills at each echelon, focusing on offense, defense, and counterattack,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Clinton K. Hall, the commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (Reinforced). “By applying simplicity to complex operations and focusing on combined arms in support of maneuver, we strengthen our mutual capabilities with our allies.”

Key Components and Support Elements

• Aviation Combat Element (VMM-268 Reinforced): VMM-268 (Reinforced) will provide direct support as the primary air assault platform, conducting day and night flight operations with MV-22B Ospreys. They will incorporate digital interoperability assets to enhance coalition situational awareness and long-range communication capabilities.
• Logistics Combat Element (CLB-5 Reinforced): CLB-5 (Reinforced) will provide comprehensive combat service support, logistics support, and enhanced health service support. “Our logistics capabilities are a critical component of this exercise, ensuring that all units can sustain the tempo of operations and persist and win in a contested environment,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Rebecca Bolz, the commanding officer of CLB-5 (Reinforced).

Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise

From July 27 to August 8, MRF-D 24.3, 1st Brigade, and the United Kingdom Littoral Response Group (South) will transition to a combined arms live-fire exercise. This phase involves rapid planning, rehearsals, and execution of coordinated maneuvers with indirect and air fires to seize objectives, establish defenses, and prepare for counterattacks, culminating in an air assault to trap the enemy’s withdrawal.

Conclusion and Contact Information

Exercise Predator’s Run 24 offers MRF-D 24.3 the chance to conduct training missions as a MAGTF while integrating command and control, aviation, logistics, ground, off-continent, and allied capabilities. This enhances warfighting readiness and better prepares the MAGTF to respond to crises or contingencies, contributing to security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.