United States to discuss with Australia about defense cooperation and security in Asia-Pacific region 11901161

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Defence & Security News - United States / Australia
 
United States to discuss with Australia about defense cooperation and security in Asia-Pacific region
Defense Secretary Ash Carter joined Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery January 18, 2016, before welcoming the prime minister to the Pentagon for a discussion on defense cooperation between the United States and Australia.
     
Defense Secretary Ash Carter joined Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery January 18, 2016, before welcoming the prime minister to the Pentagon for a discussion on defense cooperation between the United States and Australia. Australian, Chinese and U.S. soldiers organize their survival equipment at Larrakeyah Barracks, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, prior to being deployed to remote areas of the Northern Territory as part of Exercise Kowari 2014.
     
In a statement provided by Peter Cook, Pentagon press secretary, Carter and Turnbull discussed recent developments in Iraq and Syria, and the need to continue close collaboration on security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

Carter expressed appreciation for Australia’s contributions to the counter-ISIL coalition, as well as Australia’s continued support in Afghanistan. Carter said he looks forward to Australia’s participation in the counter-ISIL coalition meeting Jan. 20, in Paris.

Australia, a key ally of the US, in 2014 deployed 400 air-force personnel and 200 special forces soldiers based in Iraq to join President Barack Obama’s coalition against Daesh. A further 300 soldiers left in April 2015 to help train Iraqi troops based at Taji, northwest of Baghdad. It turned down a US request to boost its military commitment in the region last week.

Late last year Australia started carrying out air strikes against Daesh targets in Syria as part of a 60-nation, US-led coalition against the jihadists.