31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

A Marine with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, executes sword manual during a Corporals Course class on the bow of the ship here, Sept.14. Newly-promoted corporals of the company have been conducting the course periodically throughout the 31st MEU’s regularly-scheduled Fall Patrol. They began their class three months ago at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, and have adapted to the confines of the ship in order to continue training. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Sergeant Miguel A. Lopez (left), the 27-year-old Military Information Support Operations team leader and a native of Santa Anna, Calif., and Sgt. Wesly T. Weber (right), the 25-year-old MISO non-commissioned officer in charge and a native of Rochester, N.Y., both with the Command Element, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, test a Long Range Acoustic Device 100x from the inside of an MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, here, Sept. 17. The team tested the device to ensure it could be operated effectively over the noise of the Osprey. Two LRAD devices were tethered together in order to boost the volume and compensate for the surrounding aircraft noise. The LRAD met expectations by providing a crisp, clear message over the sound of the aircraft’s rotors from more than 500 meters away. The 31st MEU is currently conducting their regularly scheduled Fall Patrol. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Corporal Garret J. Madson (left), a 22-year-old native of Henderson, La., and Cpl. Josh L. Loudermeck, a 30-year-old native of Taylorsville, N.C., both airframe mechanics with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, finish taking out the engine of an AV-8B Harrier II jet inside the hangar bay here, Sept. 6. The Marines with the maintenance section of VMM-265 (Rein) work 24-hour shifts to ensure that the aircraft are constantly ready. Marines and Sailors with Company E., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, offload from an MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, to participate in Exercise Koolendong 13 here, Aug. 30. The 31st MEU is moving a battalion-sized force more than 300 miles inland from the Port of Darwin to conduct a live-fire training exercise. Also participating in the exercise is the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin and soldiers of the 5th Royal Australian Regiment. The 31st MEU brings what it needs to sustain itself to accomplish the mission or to pave the way for follow-on forces. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps' force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Captain Thaddeus V. Drake Jr., commanding officer of Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device during a ceremony here, Aug. 16. The medal was awarded for heroic actions and decisive combat leadership while in command of Company G., 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment during Operation Enduring Freedom from September 2011 to March 2012.

A Marine with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast ropes out of a static MV-22 Osprey aircraft onto the elevator below the flight deck here, Aug. 10. The Marines and Sailors hone their skills by training while stationary before descending from an aircraft in flight. The 31st MEU is currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 11 on a regularly scheduled patrol. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU.

Marines with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, climb a caving ladder to improve their speed here, Aug. 10. The training is in preparation for a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure operation as part of the unit’s Certification Exercise. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU.

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - Captain Joshua E. Carpenter, an MV-22 Osprey pilot for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, briefs his co-pilot and crew chiefs in preparation for an aerial assault here, July 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU and Amphibious Squadron 11 are part of an integrated force of approximately 18,000 U.S. service members training alongside approximately 9,000 Australian service members in the fifth iteration of Talisman Saber 2013, a month-long biennial exercise designed to enhance multilateral collaboration in support of future combined operations, natural disaster, humanitarian and emergency response. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - Marines with Company E., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, wait to board aircraft for an aerial assault here, July 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU and Amphibious Squadron 11 are part of an integrated force of approximately 18,000 U.S. service members training alongside approximately 9,000 Australian service members in the fifth iteration of Talisman Saber 2013, a month-long biennial exercise designed to enhance multilateral collaboration in support of future combined operations, natural disaster, humanitarian and emergency response. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - Crew chiefs and pilots of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct pre-flight checks on an MV-22 Osprey in preparation for an aerial assault here, July 21. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU and Amphibious Squadron 11 are part of an integrated force of approximately 18,000 U.S. service members training alongside approximately 9,000 Australian service members in the fifth iteration of Talisman Saber 2013, a month-long biennial exercise designed to enhance multilateral collaboration in support of future combined operations, natural disaster, humanitarian and emergency response. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a SH-60 Seahawk helicopter of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, await clearance to take off here, July 17. The 31st MEU and Amphibious Squadron 11 are part of the 18,000 U.S. personnel participating in the month long, bilateral training exercise alongside more than 9,000 Australian soldiers in the fifth iteration of Talisman Saber.

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - Marines and Sailors with Company E., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, for a raid rehearsal as a part of Talisman Saber 2013, here, July 17. Talisman Saber 2013 is a biennial training activity aimed at improving Australian Defense Force and U.S. combat readiness and interoperability as a Combined Joint Task Force. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps' force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously deployed MEU. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl Codey Underwood)

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - Marines of the Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit push a combat rubber raiding craft into the ocean from the well deck ramp here, July 17. The platoon used the CRRC boats to insert multiple reconnaissance teams in support of an upcoming amphibious raid as part of exercise Talisman Saber 2013. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU, PHIBRON 11, and Expeditionary Strike Group 7 are training alongside a joint U.S. force that totals approximately 18,000 personnel, as well as approximately 9,000 Australian service members in the fifth iteration of Talisman Saber, a month-long biennial exercise designed to enhance multilateral collaboration in support of future combined operations, natural disaster, humanitarian and emergency response. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - Marines and Sailors of the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, engage targets on the port side elevator of the ship here, July 7. The group used M4 carbines and M45 pistols to hone their skills in close combat marksmanship. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - Marines with Company E., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, take aim on silhouette targets using rail-mounted laser sights during close quarters, low-light combat marksmanship training from the flight deck here, July 5. More than 100 Marines of the company were able to test their night-time marksmanship on the flight deck, expending thousands of rounds of ammunition over a period of three hours. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - Sergeant Maj. William J. Grither, sergeant major of Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, reads a promotion warrant to a formation of Marines during a promotion ceremony here, July 1. This month, four CLB Marines aboard USS Germantown were promoted to various ranks from lance corporal to sergeant. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - Master Sgt. Steven Covington, the communications chief for the command element, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of Juliet, Ill., leads accountability during an abandon ship drill here, July 3. The abandon ship drill ensures the Marines and Sailors know the location of their gathering point and their assigned life raft in case of emergency. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit sit on the edge of the flight deck and enjoy their barbeque during a steel beach picnic to celebrate Independence Day here, July 4. The “blue and green” team grilled more than 1,300 burgers, 800 pieces of chicken and 800 hotdogs to give the Marines and Sailors a taste of home during the holiday celebration. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea - Marines of the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a small-arms, live-fire exercise on the port aircraft elevator here, June 29. The 31st MEU is currently underway with Amphibious Squadron 11, beginning their summer patrol. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

An aviation boatswain’s mate (handling) with Amphibious Squadron 11 guides an MV-22 Osprey helicopter from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 on to the flight deck here, March 14. As one of the rotating squadrons of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, VMM-265 must maintain proficiency in landing on the deck of a moving ship. The 31st MEU is currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 11, conducting their semi-annual Certification Exercise. CERTEX is designed to test the MEU’s wide range of capabilities, ensuring their readiness for any contingency that may occur in the region. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, await clearance for take-off from the flight deck here, March 14. The 31st MEU is currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 11, conducting their semi-annual Certification Exercise. CERTEX is designed to test the MEU’s wide range of capabilities, ensuring their readiness for any contingency that may occur in the region. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel team board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter here, March 14. The 31st MEU is currently deployed with PHIBRON 11, conducting their semi-annual Certification Exercise. CERTEX is designed to test the MEU’s wide range of capabilities, ensuring their readiness for any contingency that may occur in the region. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

A Marine with the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast ropes out of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter during helicopter rope suspension techniques training here, March 7. The purpose of the fast rope insertion is to deploy Marines and Sailors in a situation where a helicopter cannot land. The 31st MEU maintains the fast rope capability for use in numerous contingencies from combat insertions to humanitarian operations. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines with the Amphibious and Force Reconnaissance Platoons of the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper Systems and M40A5 Sniper Rifles at targets from the stern of the ship here, March 6. The snipers of the MRF conducted marksmanship training to keep their skills sharp for any contingency operation they may be called upon to execute. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

A Marine with the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System rifle through a freeing port (a hole to allow water runoff) at a target from the stern of the ship here, March 6. The snipers of the 31st MEU’s Amphibious and Force Reconnaissance Platoons conducted marksmanship training to keep their skills sharp for any contingency operation that they may be called upon to execute. 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 the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit join the ship's crew in a swim call here, Feb. 27. When operations allow, the ship's captain opens the well deck of the ship for a few hours of swimming in the open water. The 31st MEU is currently deployed aboard three ships of Amphibious Squadron 11, conducting a semi-annual patrol to maintain regional security. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps' force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward deployed MEU.

Marines board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)to be transported ashore for exercise Cobra Gold 2013 here, Feb. 13. Cobra Gold is an annual exercise that includes numerous multilateral events ranging from amphibious assaults to non-combatant evacuation operations. The training aims to improve interoperability between the United States, the Kingdom of Thailand, and many other participating countries. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.