HONOLULU (AP) – President Barack Obama is turning from economic to security concerns in the Asia-Pacific region as he makes a long-delayed visit to Australia.
Obama, who twice canceled planned visits last year because of domestic priorities, left from Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam about 9 Tuesday morning for the
capital of Canberra. Because he’s flying over the international date line, he won’t arrive in Australia until mid-afternoon local time Wednesday.
Before leaving Hawaii Tuesday morning, President Obama greeted a couple dozen military personnel who had gathered on the tarmac.
He’ll spend a day and a half in Australia, dividing his time between Canberra and Darwin in the remote north, where he’ll pay respects at a memorial to U.S. troops killed during a World War II attack and speak to U.S. and Australian military personnel.
Obama is expected to announce plans to expand the U.S.-Australia military relationship, including increasing access to bases and conducting more joint exercises.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
