The Australian Army says the first group of about 250 US Marines that are part of an increased American military presence in South-East Asia will arrive in Darwin in April.
The build-up will see about to 2,500 Marines training in the Territory by 2016-17.
The Commander of Australia's First Brigade, Brigadier General Gus McLachlan says the first of the troops will start arriving in about two weeks. "This first year, of course, we start pretty small," he said.
"We have got about 250 arriving in early April. "From our point of view, everything is going well.
"This first year is almost just a foot in the door, proof of concept, and obviously it will build up in a pretty measured pace in the next few years."
Brigadier McLachlan says the army is concerned that the construction of the Inpex gas plant could cause traffic problems near Darwin's Robertson barracks, where the US Marines will be stationed.
As part of the construction process heavy trucks could use access roads near the barracks for nine months to cart gravel and rock.
The area also has high amounts of traffic at peak times because of military staff going in and out.
Brigadier McLachlan says he is talking to Inpex, the Territory Government and local governments about how to deal with potential problems.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-20/first-us-marines-for-darwin-arrive-in-april/3901250
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