Whereas Australia is a vital partner of the United States; Whereas the United States and Australia share core values as well as deep cultural, security, and people-to-people ties; Whereas Australia has been a treaty ally of the United States since the signing of the Australia-New Zealand-United States (ANZUS) Treaty in 1951; Whereas an alliance bond is a sacred vow of friendship and trust, and Australia has always been a faithful and reliable partner to the United States; Whereas United States-Australia defense and intelligence ties and cooperation are exceptionally close, and Australian forces have fought together with the United States military in every significant conflict since World War I and over 100,000 Australian servicemembers have paid the highest price in the course of their service alongside American allies; Whereas Australia was one of the first countries to commit troops to United States military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq after September 11, 2001; Whereas Australia is a close partner of the United States, sharing information essential to the defense and security of the two countries, including through the Five Eyes intelligence community; Whereas the United States-Australia alliance is an anchor for peace and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific region and around the world; Whereas Australia has welcomed proposals to reposition United States Marines to maintain Marine forces in the western Pacific and improve the United States strategic posture in the Indo-Asia Pacific region; Whereas the United States Air Force and the Australian Air Force have expanded cooperation and training to enhance the interoperability of the militaries of the two countries; Whereas Australia has led peacekeeping efforts in the Indo-Asia Pacific region, including in Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands; Whereas Australia and the United States share strategic interests in the Indo-Asia Pacific region and globally, and have worked together to promote these shared goals and objectives