US Navy Establishes Permanent Base in Western Australia to Support AUKUS

The United States Navy has begun establishing a permanent base in Western Australia to support its personnel working on the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine project.

Naval Support Activity (NSA) Stirling will provide support services for U.S. service members, civilian personnel, contractors, and their families assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West).

The facility will allow nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines from the United States and the United Kingdom to rotate in and out.

It is being established with the approval of, and at the invitation of, the Australian government, and will piggyback on the Royal Australian Navy’s long-established HMAS Stirling, which is located on Garden Island just north of Rockingham in Perth.

“Establishment of NSA Stirling with our AUKUS partners demonstrates our command mission to support the fleet, warfighter, and family,” said Vice Admiral Scott Gray, Commander of the U.S. Navy Installations Command.

“By providing essential services to U.S. personnel and their families, NSA Stirling will enhance rotational submarine force readiness.”

The U.S. Navy Region Japan was tasked in October 2024 with establishing NSA Stirling, which is still in its early stages, according to Rear Admiral Ian Johnson, the region’s commander.

“While there is still much work ahead, we are confident in our ability to accomplish this task through strong collaboration with our AUKUS partners,” he said.

The first rotation of U.S. Navy personnel to HMAS Stirling will occur later this year. The base is undergoing an $8 billion upgrade from the Australian government to faciliate the AUKUS project.

Stirling was formally commissioned in July 1978 and is the headquarters of the Australian Submarine Squadron and is the home port for 16 Royal Australian Navy vessels, including all six of the country’s Collins-class submarines and six of eight ANZAC-class frigates.