The LST Type SHIMOKITA prepares to set sail during an amphibious warfare exercise at Camp Ainoura, Sasebo, Japan, May 16, 2018. - The LST Type SHIMOKITA prepares to set sail during an amphibious warfare exercise at Camp Ainoura, Sasebo, Japan, May 16, 2018. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, joined Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members to embark with the newly formed Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to enhance the ARDB’s capabilities to deal with various situations on islands. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall/Released)

Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, load onto busses headed to Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 18, 2018. - Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, load onto busses headed to Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 18, 2018. BLT 2/5 will be taking up the role as the Ground Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matt Navarra/Released)

Lance Cpl. Michael Ramirez, a motor transport mechanic with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, tightens the bolts on a vehicle engine during a maintenance stand-down at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 9, 2018. - Lance Cpl. Michael Ramirez, a motor transport mechanic with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, tightens the bolts on a vehicle engine during a maintenance stand-down at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 9, 2018. During the stand-down, vehicle maintenance Marines inspected, serviced and maintained all of the vehicles and equipment the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked during Spring Patrol 2018. The 31st MEU, including CLB-31, the Logistics Combat Element for the MEU, returned to Okinawa, April 21, after a regularly scheduled patrol of the Indo-Pacific region. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matt Navarra/Released)