Philippine Marines and U.S. Marines from Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently in support of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, carry a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft during a boat raid here Oct. 27. The boat raid was conducted as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2012, a bilateral training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. The bilateral training is designed to build interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Brianna Turner/Released) - Philippine Marines and U.S. Marines from Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently in support of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, carry a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft during a boat raid here Oct. 27. The boat raid was conducted as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2012, a bilateral training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. The bilateral training is designed to build interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Brianna Turner/Released)

Cpl. Caleb S. Walcott, a squad leader with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security in the back of an amphibious assault vehicle during a mock amphibious raid, Oct. 14. The raid was conducted during the 31st MEU’s certification exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Cpl. Caleb S. Walcott, a squad leader with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security in the back of an amphibious assault vehicle during a mock amphibious raid, Oct. 14. The raid was conducted during the 31st MEU’s certification exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

A CH-46 helicopter of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, arrives with Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, at the scene of a mass casualty exercise. The training was held in preparation for the 31st MEU’s certification for deployment. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward deployed MEU and is the nation’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A CH-46 helicopter of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, arrives with Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, at the scene of a mass casualty exercise. The training was held in preparation for the 31st MEU’s certification for deployment. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward deployed MEU and is the nation’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire weapons during a timed squad competition drill held at the culmination of bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire weapons during a timed squad competition drill held at the culmination of bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to fire a high-explosive rocket from a shoulder-launched, multipurpose assault weapon during bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to fire a high-explosive rocket from a shoulder-launched, multipurpose assault weapon during bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Ashley Evans, a team leader with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observes Australian Army soldier Cpl. Geoff Miller, a transportation specialist with the 1st Brigade, conduct a live-fire course during bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Ashley Evans, a team leader with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observes Australian Army soldier Cpl. Geoff Miller, a transportation specialist with the 1st Brigade, conduct a live-fire course during bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Australian Defence Force members unload gear from an Australian military vehicle at the beginning of a bilateral exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Australian Defence Force members unload gear from an Australian military vehicle at the beginning of a bilateral exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Humvees with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive onto a U.S. Navy landing craft air cushioned, July 30. The LCAC was transporting vehicles, equipment and personnel to USS Germantown (LSD 42) after the successful completion of exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel have participated. TS11 provided an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that increased both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Humvees with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive onto a U.S. Navy landing craft air cushioned, July 30. The LCAC was transporting vehicles, equipment and personnel to USS Germantown (LSD 42) after the successful completion of exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel have participated. TS11 provided an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that increased both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. and Australian investigative agencies search for evidence of a mock mass grave during a stability and support operation, July 21. The SASO operations are part of a scenario based operation that took place during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. and Australian investigative agencies search for evidence of a mock mass grave during a stability and support operation, July 21. The SASO operations are part of a scenario based operation that took place during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Amphibious assault vehicles carrying Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, charge toward Freshwater Beach while deploying a smoke screen during an amphibious assault in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crises and provide humanitarian assistance. This exercise will increase interoperability, flexibility, and readiness, all of which are force multipliers in maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific. - Amphibious assault vehicles carrying Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, charge toward Freshwater Beach while deploying a smoke screen during an amphibious assault in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crises and provide humanitarian assistance. This exercise will increase interoperability, flexibility, and readiness, all of which are force multipliers in maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific.