US President Barack Obama on Wednesday afternoon touched down in Air Force One at Canberra of Australia to start his 26-hours visit in the country.
This is Obama's first visit since becoming US president, and his visit to Australia on Nov. 16 and 17 marks the 60th anniversary of the military alliance between Australia and the US.
The president smiled and waved as he descended the steps from the specially fitted out Boeing 747 jumbo at the Fairbairn defence establishment.
He was greeted by Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Australia's ambassador to the US Kim Beazley and the US ambassador Geoffrey Bleich.
Obama chatted to the group for a few moments before stepping into his personal bomb-proof transport vehicle, known as "The Beast".
He is now heading to Parliament House for the official welcome ceremony, and will sign the prime minister's visitor's book before attending a bilateral meeting with Gillard.
On Thursday morning, the president will visit Australian War Memorial, address the Parliament, and attend an event in US Embassy.
Obama will then travel to Darwin of Northern Territory in the afternoon, where he is expected to announce plans to expand positioning US military equipment in Australia, increasing access to bases and conducting more joint exercises and training.
While foreign and defense policy experts said the visit came at a time when the US is under pressure to assert its primary role in Asia Pacific region, US Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich last week said security and humanitarian relief in the Asia Pacific region will top the agenda for the visit.
Apart from the closer defense corporation with Australia, Obama is likely to make use of his trip to reinforce his message that the US is strengthening cultural and economic ties with Australia, and he is also expected to announce progress on the new Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which he announced during the APEC summit.
This is Obama's third attempt to visit Australia, as the two previous trips had to be canceled because he had to stay at home to deal with domestic issues.