The United States and Australia signed an agreement to allow further U.S. military access to Australian military resources. The move is part of the United States' efforts to reorient and rebalance its military in the Asia-Pacific to counter the emergence of Chinese power. The agreement permits U.S. Marines to use Australian training grounds, both independently and jointly with Australia. Meanwhile airbases such as Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal could host U.S. combat and support aircraft, including aerial refueling tankers and strategic bombers. Ports such as Royal Australian Navy Base HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, already in use by the U.S. Navy, and HMAS Stirling (Fleet Base West) south of Perth could be employed to accommodate American aircraft carriers, surface combatants, amphibious ships, auxiliaries and submarines as well as strategic locations for expanding logistical, repair and rearmament capacities. Washington has already undertaken massive efforts to expand military capacities in Guam, South Korea and Japan. U.S. influence has already extended beyond its initial purpose in the Philippines, and Singapore is under discussion to accommodate more U.S. Navy ships.
