The largest joint military exercise between Australia and the United States starts in central Queensland today.

Exercise Talisman Sabre involves more than 22,000 troops at Shoalwater Bay near Rockhampton, and other sites in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

There will also be 30 warships in the Coral Sea.

The commander of the US Seventh Fleet, Vice-Admiral Scott Van Buskirk, says the exercise has been many months in the planning.

"Just the planning itself has brought our teams together to work through many of the issues that are part of the execution ultimately of this exercise," he said.

"You're going to be seeing that unfold here over the next couple of weeks but all the planning that goes into the front end of this is important and then as well as what we learn, the lessons learned at the end of this is really what it's all about."

US Marines Sergeant Todd Martin says he is looking forward to the training and meeting some "Aussie mates".

"A lot of Australian friends, a lot of friends, military, civilian wise, they're friendly people," he said.

"Down to earth, just like at home ... being able to come here and train with them and ... getting our partnership that much better, it's a great experience."

Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to Australia, Jeffrey Bleich, says there is a possibility of a greater US military involvement in Australia.

Mr Bleich has visited central Queensland for the start of Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Rockhampton Mayor Brad Carter has been lobbying for a greater US presence in central Queensland.

Mr Bleich says military issues were discussed in recent talks between US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and the Australian Government.

"One possibility would be to have more equipment stored here, the chance to do more exercises like Talisman Sabre," he said.

"We're looking at all of those as serious options and certainly the Northern Territory and other parts of Australia are in the mix."