 Under U.S. Army Forces in Australia ( USAFIA ) a series of bases had gradually been built in Australia , initially to support the US forces in the Philippines . Seven base sections were established in Australia to operate under USAFIA : Base Section 1 at Birdum , Northern Territory ; Base Section 2 in Townsville ; Base Section 3 in Brisbane ; Base Section 4 in Melbourne ; Base Section 5 in Adelaide ; Base Section 6 in Perth ; and Base Section 7 in Sydney . On 20 July USAFIA became the United States Army Services of Supply , Southwest Pacific Area ( USASOS SWPA ) , under the command of Brigadier General Richard J. Marshall , and Barnes returned to the United States . 
