A small group of people angry with the US military presence in Australia have staged a protest in Darwin ahead of the arrival by US President Barack Obama.
The 12 protesters, with signs that included "No Bases", "Pine Gap is too much" and "Gillard is a puppet to the US war machine" gathered near the Northern Territory Parliament.
Some motorists yelled abuse at the small group, in the city where Australian troops are already a common sight on streets, cafes and bars.
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Former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) member Greg Chapman said the rise in the number of US troops would not help Australia.
"It is all about American interests," Mr Chapman said.
He said already too many military personnel were seen in the city.
"Whether you are just at the supermarket or walking down the street you have these codgers in camouflage gear, they are everywhere," Mr Chapman said.
"This has always been a defence town, but in the early days everyone blended in, but now they are everywhere and it is in your face," he added.
Lawyer Diana Rickard said an influx in the number of US troops in Darwin would make the community less safe.
"We do not want American marines in Australia doing the same things they have done in the Philippines, in Japan, in Germany and probably in most parts of the world where they have a military base," she said.
"We do not want the violence to spread."
Mr Obama has announced an increase in the number of US troops to be stationed in Darwin.
Starting next year with a small contingent of up to 250 Marines, eventually a force of 2500 US troops will be located in Darwin.
The United States and Australia already jointly run the Pine Gap spy base, located near Alice Springs.
As well as the people angry at the US military build-up, a lone supporter of the right-wing US economist Lyndon LaRouche held up a sign calling on Barack Obama to be impeached.
