At certain peaks in the 90 minute hike, Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Sailors of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) were able to pause for scenic overlooks from the “Dragon’s Back” here, Oct. 30. Five local women hosted the hike and luncheon as part of the American Women’s Association’s Meals in the Home program, where local sponsors take in service members for a day of fun and a home-cooked meal. - At certain peaks in the 90 minute hike, Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Sailors of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) were able to pause for scenic overlooks from the “Dragon’s Back” here, Oct. 30. Five local women hosted the hike and luncheon as part of the American Women’s Association’s Meals in the Home program, where local sponsors take in service members for a day of fun and a home-cooked meal.

Staff Sgt. Andrew Couls, a mortar section leader for Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Lance Cpl. Ricardo Medrano, a mortarman with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, share stories during a break in training here, Oct. 16. Medrano was recruited by Couls and trained alongside his former recruiter during the annual Philippine Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise from Oct. 6 – 16. The 31st MEU and 2/3 trained alongside the Philippine Marines and soldiers for two weeks, integrating the skills gained here to strengthen interoperability in the future. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Staff Sgt. Andrew Couls, a mortar section leader for Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Lance Cpl. Ricardo Medrano, a mortarman with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, share stories during a break in training here, Oct. 16. Medrano was recruited by Couls and trained alongside his former recruiter during the annual Philippine Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise from Oct. 6 – 16. The 31st MEU and 2/3 trained alongside the Philippine Marines and soldiers for two weeks, integrating the skills gained here to strengthen interoperability in the future. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Lance Cpl. Christopher Heatherington, combat engineer with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and a native of Fairbury, Ill., pushes the top of a concrete septic tank into place during the engineering civil affairs project at the Tagburos Elementary School here, Oct. 16. The ENCAP construction sites took under two weeks, finishing with two closing ceremonies and ribbon cuttings. The ENCAPs is one of multiple humanitarian civil affairs projects conducted by the 31st MEU throughout the island of Palawan during the Amphibious Landing Exercise in the Philippines. PHIBLEX, now in its 29th iteration, is an annually-scheduled exercise between the U.S. and Philippine forces, aimed at strengthening military-to-military interoperability and bilateral relationships. - Lance Cpl. Christopher Heatherington, combat engineer with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and a native of Fairbury, Ill., pushes the top of a concrete septic tank into place during the engineering civil affairs project at the Tagburos Elementary School here, Oct. 16. The ENCAP construction sites took under two weeks, finishing with two closing ceremonies and ribbon cuttings. The ENCAPs is one of multiple humanitarian civil affairs projects conducted by the 31st MEU throughout the island of Palawan during the Amphibious Landing Exercise in the Philippines. PHIBLEX, now in its 29th iteration, is an annually-scheduled exercise between the U.S. and Philippine forces, aimed at strengthening military-to-military interoperability and bilateral relationships.

Navy LT Maria Sanchez, dental officer with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and native of Aurora, Ill., works on extracting a rotted tooth from a Filipino local during the medical/dental civil affairs project here, Oct. 10. The two-day medical and dental aid evolution provided free healthcare to the local communities where such treatment is not readily available. The MED/DENCAP was in support of the 31st MEU's Amphibious Landing Exercise, an an annually-scheduled exercise between the U.S. and Philippine forces, aimed at strengthening military-to-military interoperability and bilateral relationships. - Navy LT Maria Sanchez, dental officer with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and native of Aurora, Ill., works on extracting a rotted tooth from a Filipino local during the medical/dental civil affairs project here, Oct. 10. The two-day medical and dental aid evolution provided free healthcare to the local communities where such treatment is not readily available. The MED/DENCAP was in support of the 31st MEU's Amphibious Landing Exercise, an an annually-scheduled exercise between the U.S. and Philippine forces, aimed at strengthening military-to-military interoperability and bilateral relationships.

Marines and Sailors with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, descend to the ground after jumping out of a C-130 Hercules aircraft during bilateral parachute jump training alongside Philippine Marines and Soldiers, here, Oct. 15. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are participating in the 29th iteration of the Philippine Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise alongside their Philippine Marine counterparts in order to improve the two forces’ interoperability and strengthen their long standing relationship. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines and Sailors with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, descend to the ground after jumping out of a C-130 Hercules aircraft during bilateral parachute jump training alongside Philippine Marines and Soldiers, here, Oct. 15. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are participating in the 29th iteration of the Philippine Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise alongside their Philippine Marine counterparts in order to improve the two forces’ interoperability and strengthen their long standing relationship. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Lance Cpl. Matthew Lehman, foreman with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and a native of Bellwood, PA., (left) stands with B. Gen. Craig Timberlake, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade as they overlook the progress of the Macasascas Elementary School engineering civil affairs construction project here, Oct. 15. Timberlake visited various current and previous ENCAP sites during the 31st MEUs projects in Palawan to oversee the progress and visit the local Filipinos who benefit fromthe projects. The ENCAPs are one of multiple humanitarian civil affairs projects conducted by the 31st MEU throughout the island of Palawan during the Amphibious Landing Exercise in the Philippines. PHIBLEX, now in its 29th iteration, is an annually-scheduled exercise between the U.S. and Philippine forces, aimed at strengthening military-to-military interoperability and bilateral relationships. - Lance Cpl. Matthew Lehman, foreman with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and a native of Bellwood, PA., (left) stands with B. Gen. Craig Timberlake, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade as they overlook the progress of the Macasascas Elementary School engineering civil affairs construction project here, Oct. 15. Timberlake visited various current and previous ENCAP sites during the 31st MEUs projects in Palawan to oversee the progress and visit the local Filipinos who benefit fromthe projects. The ENCAPs are one of multiple humanitarian civil affairs projects conducted by the 31st MEU throughout the island of Palawan during the Amphibious Landing Exercise in the Philippines. PHIBLEX, now in its 29th iteration, is an annually-scheduled exercise between the U.S. and Philippine forces, aimed at strengthening military-to-military interoperability and bilateral relationships.

A Filipino elementary school child runs a spoon race with U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit at the Santa Fe Elementary School during one of the four community relations projects here, Oct. 15. One of four COMREL visits scheduled during the MEU's Amphibious Landing Exercise throughout the Philippines, Marines and Sailors visit multiple elementary schools in Puerto Princesa City to play with the children before rendering medical and dental care and engineering assistance. PHIBLEX, now in its 29th iteration, is an annually-scheduled exercise between the U.S. and Philippine forces, aimed at strengthening military-to-military interoperability and bilateral relationships. - A Filipino elementary school child runs a spoon race with U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit at the Santa Fe Elementary School during one of the four community relations projects here, Oct. 15. One of four COMREL visits scheduled during the MEU's Amphibious Landing Exercise throughout the Philippines, Marines and Sailors visit multiple elementary schools in Puerto Princesa City to play with the children before rendering medical and dental care and engineering assistance. PHIBLEX, now in its 29th iteration, is an annually-scheduled exercise between the U.S. and Philippine forces, aimed at strengthening military-to-military interoperability and bilateral relationships.

CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-262 (REIN), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to land and offload Marines during a helicopter raid exercise here, Oct. 14. The training was part of the 29th iteration of the annual Philippines Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise, designed to increase interoperability between U.S. and Philippine forces while strengthening their long standing bond. - CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-262 (REIN), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to land and offload Marines during a helicopter raid exercise here, Oct. 14. The training was part of the 29th iteration of the annual Philippines Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise, designed to increase interoperability between U.S. and Philippine forces while strengthening their long standing bond.

Lance Cpl. Travis Merrill, a field radio operator with the Communications Detachment, Command Element, 31st MEU and a native of Hodegkins, Ill., adjusts a antenna during the annual Philippine Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise here, Oct. 14. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are conducting the 29th iteration of the Philippine Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise alongside their Philippine Marine counterparts in order to improve the two forces’ interoperability and strengthen their long standing relationship. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Lance Cpl. Travis Merrill, a field radio operator with the Communications Detachment, Command Element, 31st MEU and a native of Hodegkins, Ill., adjusts a antenna during the annual Philippine Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise here, Oct. 14. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are conducting the 29th iteration of the Philippine Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise alongside their Philippine Marine counterparts in order to improve the two forces’ interoperability and strengthen their long standing relationship. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sergeant Maj. G. A. “Butch” Vasquez, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit sergeant major, receives a question during a presentation on senior enlisted professional military education, while participating in a Philippine Marine Corps Sergeant Major symposium here, Oct. 12. Sergeant Maj. Vasquez and Sgt. Maj. Robert Caldwell, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade sergeant major, participated in senior enlisted professional education discussions and gave classes on U.S. Marine Corps organization and structure. The 3rd MEB and 31st MEU are participating in the Philippine Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise, a regularly scheduled exercise that is designed to improve interoperability and build relationships in preparation for potential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. - Sergeant Maj. G. A. “Butch” Vasquez, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit sergeant major, receives a question during a presentation on senior enlisted professional military education, while participating in a Philippine Marine Corps Sergeant Major symposium here, Oct. 12. Sergeant Maj. Vasquez and Sgt. Maj. Robert Caldwell, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade sergeant major, participated in senior enlisted professional education discussions and gave classes on U.S. Marine Corps organization and structure. The 3rd MEB and 31st MEU are participating in the Philippine Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise, a regularly scheduled exercise that is designed to improve interoperability and build relationships in preparation for potential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.