This is really not off the subject of the things that we have covered here on this thread but you might have to look hard to see it.
Global Security sent this note out.... and since the DOD has been mentioned recently I thought this might be important to someone
In response, we have brought forward a new and important element of this cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on the relocation and establishment of a jointly-operated US C-Band space surveillance radar at the Harold E. Holt Naval Communication Station in Western Australia. We have also decided to work towards the relocation of a highly advanced US Space Surveillance Telescope to Australia. The relocation of these capabilities will strengthen the US global Space Surveillance Network’s ability to track space assets and debris, and contribute to the global public good by making this information publically available and providing satellite operators around the world with warnings of possible collisions between space objects, thereby reducing the danger posed by space debris.
The relocation and joint operation of these assets is a demonstration of our commitment to closer space cooperation, and builds upon the Space Situational Awareness Partnership established between Australia and the United States at AUSMIN in 2010.
We affirmed our commitment to strengthening our capacity to contribute to integrated civil-military operations, recognising the increasing complexity of the kinds of contingencies that we continue to face together and with other partners. Such investment in bilateral preparedness reinforces our combined capacity to respond effectively with other partners to disasters, humanitarian emergencies and fragile and conflict-affected states across the Asia Pacific and globally.
We affirmed our intent to:
-- continue to implement the US force posture initiatives in an incremental and considered manner;
-- continue to plan our participation in a regional humanitarian and disaster relief exercise to be hosted by Indonesia in 2013, which will enhance our ability to respond and work together in the region in the event of a humanitarian or natural disaster;
-- continue exploring opportunities for cooperation on Indian Ocean security matters;
-- continue to progress implementation of the Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty as a means to increase cooperation between Australian and US defence industries and enhance interoperability on joint operations and exercises, recognising that the legislation needed to implement the Treaty has been passed by the Australian Parliament;
-- relocate a US C-Band space surveillance radar to Western Australia in 2014, where it will track space assets and debris, and contribute to the safety and security of space-based systems on which we rely and will increase coverage of space objects in the southern hemisphere;
-- complement the C-Band space surveillance radar capability by working towards the relocation of an advanced US space surveillance telescope to Australia, and explore ways to better leverage Australian space surveillance capabilities for combined benefit, as next steps under the Space Situational Awareness Partnership signed in 2010;
-- discuss the possible establishment of a Combined Communications Gateway in Western Australia, which would provide both Australia and the United States greater access to the Wideband Global Satellite communications constellation in which we are partners. The discussions follow the signature of a Military Satellite Communications Partnership Statement of Principles in 2008;
-- consult as the United States develops the phased adaptive approach to ballistic missile defence, which will allow missile defence to be adapted to the threats unique to the Asia Pacific;
-- continue our cooperation to build a more detailed understanding of regional ballistic missile threats and cooperative research on technologies to counter such threats, and options for practical cooperation in this area; and
-- strengthen and regularise whole-of-government participation in the Talisman Sabre exercise with a strong Australian and US civilian agency participation in future exercises to complement the high levels of defence cooperation and interoperability demonstrated in the activity.
AUSMIN 2013
The United States offered to host the next AUSMIN meeting in 2013.
Defense.gov News Release: AUSMIN 2012 Joint Communiqué
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