Meanwhile, Darwin, Australia is preparing to set up the Southern Hemisphere's first tidal energy facility.

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Marines have been deployed to the northern city of Darwin in Australia, a combat ship has arrived in Singapore and plans are unfolding for Army units that will rotate in and out of the region.

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Now, here in Darwin and Northern Australia, we'll write the next proud chapter in our alliance.

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He and the Australian prime minister, Julia Gillard (pictured above), announced that America will put rotating units of marines in Darwin, in northern Australia, for training and exercises.

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And Australia secured the eight-wicket victory in Darwin in only 22.4 overs, with Mike Hussey not out on eight.

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Australia offered a base for American forces in sea-handy Darwin.

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Australia will return to action in July when they play two home Tests against Sri Lanka in Darwin and Cairns.

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Royal Dutch Shell, an oil company, will use Darwin as a maintenance base for a floating processing plant for LNG from the Prelude field off Western Australia.

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