Exmouth!

When northwest Australia was considered to be under threat from Japanese invasion in World War II, this area became a focus of attention. Operation Potshot was launched in 1942 to establish a military base in Exmouth Gulf. We didn't know there was American presence here. The street names like Washington Drive should have gave it away.

At one time, up to 1000 U.S. servicemen were resident in the area with a supporting airbase, anti-aircraft guns, and a radar unit installed. By 1943 the threat had eased and most of the troops were withdrawn, but the base was maintained as a forward airstrip with fuel supplies. Towns were established to support the U.S. Naval Communications Station in the 1960s. Australian naval forces now run the transmission station but there are remaining US influence throughout the town (e.g., US President street names and a honkey tonk bar.)