Capt. Paul Bartok, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit supply officer, makes his way towards a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter bound for Japan, March 17. Bartok is part of a group headed to set up the 31st MEU’s forward command element for continued operations in Japan. The 31st MEU continues to prepare for potential humanitarian assistance in support of Operation Tomodachi. Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU are making preparations for disaster relief efforts after a 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan causing widespread damage. The 31st MEU is the nations’ force in readiness in the Asia Pacific region. - Capt. Paul Bartok, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit supply officer, makes his way towards a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter bound for Japan, March 17. Bartok is part of a group headed to set up the 31st MEU’s forward command element for continued operations in Japan. The 31st MEU continues to prepare for potential humanitarian assistance in support of Operation Tomodachi. Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU are making preparations for disaster relief efforts after a 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan causing widespread damage. The 31st MEU is the nations’ force in readiness in the Asia Pacific region.

Sailors with Amphibious Squadron 11 attach chains to a CH-46E Sea Knight with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during flight deck operations, March 13. Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) are making preparations for potential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts after an 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan causing widespread damage. The USS Essex and 31st MEU are heading for the northeast coast of Japan to be ready to support to our friends and allies in their ongoing efforts and to be near enough to provide that support if called upon. - Sailors with Amphibious Squadron 11 attach chains to a CH-46E Sea Knight with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during flight deck operations, March 13. Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) are making preparations for potential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts after an 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan causing widespread damage. The USS Essex and 31st MEU are heading for the northeast coast of Japan to be ready to support to our friends and allies in their ongoing efforts and to be near enough to provide that support if called upon.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Erin Patrick, combat cargo officer aboard the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), reviews embarkation reports March 11. As the CCO, Patrick coordinates the loading, storage, and offloading of all 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit equipment on ship. Patrick has been deployed 18 of the last 24 months, away from her husband and four children. She is one of the Marine Corps’ many professionals who sacrifice time with family to serve their country. - Chief Warrant Officer 2 Erin Patrick, combat cargo officer aboard the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), reviews embarkation reports March 11. As the CCO, Patrick coordinates the loading, storage, and offloading of all 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit equipment on ship. Patrick has been deployed 18 of the last 24 months, away from her husband and four children. She is one of the Marine Corps’ many professionals who sacrifice time with family to serve their country.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Erin Patrick, Combat Cargo Officer, USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) (left), speaks with 1st Lt. Charles Breaux, team embarkation officer, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, regarding the movement of personnel and materials from the USS Denver (LPD 9) to the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), March 4. Elements of the 31st MEU switched ships mid-deployment allowing the MEU to remain ready to respond. The transition comes midway through the MEU’s scheduled deployment to the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing theater security and conducting bilateral training with multiple nations. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains a force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region at all times. - Chief Warrant Officer 2 Erin Patrick, Combat Cargo Officer, USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) (left), speaks with 1st Lt. Charles Breaux, team embarkation officer, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, regarding the movement of personnel and materials from the USS Denver (LPD 9) to the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), March 4. Elements of the 31st MEU switched ships mid-deployment allowing the MEU to remain ready to respond. The transition comes midway through the MEU’s scheduled deployment to the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing theater security and conducting bilateral training with multiple nations. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains a force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region at all times.

A Marine with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets a stake while putting up a net over a mortar system Feb. 27. Throughout the day, the Marines familiarized Cambodian forces with crew served weapons, MCMAP, small arms, mine and improvised explosive device detection, combat lifesaving skills, and mortar systems. The 31st MEU visited and conducted bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities. - A Marine with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets a stake while putting up a net over a mortar system Feb. 27. Throughout the day, the Marines familiarized Cambodian forces with crew served weapons, MCMAP, small arms, mine and improvised explosive device detection, combat lifesaving skills, and mortar systems. The 31st MEU visited and conducted bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities.

Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit dance to music played during a closing ceremony at the Cambodian Maritime Exercise, March 1. The ceremony concluded the bilateral training exercise involving forces of the Cambodia and the U.S. militaries. The 31st MEU visited and conducted bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities. - Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit dance to music played during a closing ceremony at the Cambodian Maritime Exercise, March 1. The ceremony concluded the bilateral training exercise involving forces of the Cambodia and the U.S. militaries. The 31st MEU visited and conducted bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities.

Sailors with the Royal Cambodian Navy and U.S. Navy Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, distribute medicine to patients during a medical civil assistance project, Feb. 26. The MEDCAP is a three day event in support of the Cambodian Maritime Exercise 2011. The Cambodian MAREX ‘11 is part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation Program, and provides unique and dynamic opportunities for collaboration between the Cambodian and U.S. military, while promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities. - Sailors with the Royal Cambodian Navy and U.S. Navy Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, distribute medicine to patients during a medical civil assistance project, Feb. 26. The MEDCAP is a three day event in support of the Cambodian Maritime Exercise 2011. The Cambodian MAREX ‘11 is part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation Program, and provides unique and dynamic opportunities for collaboration between the Cambodian and U.S. military, while promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities.

Cambodian service members and Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit play volleyball during a sports day, March 1. Sports day was played after the conclusion of bilateral training between Cambodian and U.S. forces during the Cambodian Maritime Exercise. The 31st MEU visited and conducted bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities. - Cambodian service members and Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit play volleyball during a sports day, March 1. Sports day was played after the conclusion of bilateral training between Cambodian and U.S. forces during the Cambodian Maritime Exercise. The 31st MEU visited and conducted bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities.