Maritime Border Command

The MBC is a joint unit of the Australian Defence Force (the Royal Australian Navy Patrol Force and the Royal Australian Air Force Surveillance and Response Group) and the Australian Border Force (Marine Unit and Coastwatch aircraft). Its headquarters are in Canberra and is part of the Operations Group of the ABF. The ABF is part of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Since September 2013, the MBC has supported the Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Taskforce. The ADF elements of MBC are commanded from Northern Command in Darwin, Northern Territory. The Australian Federal Police supports the MBC and particularly the ABF with criminal investigations, law enforcement and national security matters. ==Role==

The MBC delivers a coordinated national approach to offshore protection by operating as a single maritime surveillance, response and interception agency. It detects and deters a wide range of illegal activities using a combination of ABF and ADF aircraft and vessels. ABF response assets include Coastwatch aircraft and Marine Unit patrol vessels. Its activities take place under a variety of legislation covering areas such as customs, fisheries, quarantine, immigration, environment and law enforcement. The MBC is responsible for coordinating and controlling operations to protect Australia's national interests against the following maritime security threats: • illegal exploitation of natural resources • illegal activity in protected areas • unauthorised maritime arrivals • prohibited imports/exports • maritime terrorism • piracy • compromise to bio-security • marine pollution. ==Commanders==