Australian troops could soon fight ISIS in Philippines, US navy admiral says

Head of US Pacific Command Harry Harris has warned Australian troops could soon be fighting Islamic extremists in the Philippines.

"I believe that ISIS is trying to gain a foothold in the Indo-Asia Pacific and I think it behoves all free nations to take a stand,” Admiral Harris told reporters aboard USS Bonhomme Richard off the coast of Sydney this afternoon.

The Australian Air Force is already operating spy planes over the southern Philippines, with the next possible step boots on the ground.

“We are ready,” Australia's Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral David Johnston, said.

Admiral Harris told the Sydney Morning Herald the alliance between the US and Australia was “mattered more today than ever before.”

"It matters to our two great nations, it matters to the Indo-Asia Pacific and it matters to the world,” he said.

"We are in this together."

Both Vice Admiral Johnston and Admiral Harris were on board the assault ship as part of mass military exercise dubbed Talisman Sabre.

More than 30,0000 Australian and US troops will converge in Shoalwater Bay, off Rockhampton, for the exercise over the next month.

Troops will also be in action south of Darwin for the exercise, which is co-ordinated from Townsville, Brisbane and Canberra.

The nation’s billion-dollar HMAS Canberra will also be among 21 navy ships involved in Talisman Sabre.