31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

U.S. Marines with Military Police Platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, greet Marines with the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) Oct. 6, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise combining amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tiffany Edwards/Released)

Philippine Marines join U.S. Marines with Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during combat rubber raiding craft training as part of Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX 33) off the coast of Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim, Ternate, Philippines, Oct. 5, 2016. PHIBLEX 33 is an annual bilateral exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships through commitment, capability and cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit/ Released)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Cristian Estrada, a 26-year-old infantry Marine with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, carries a Philippine student during a visit to Maruglo Elementary School on Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2016. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU visited the school to build unity between U.S. forces and the local residents during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX). PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. T.T. Parish/Released)

Marines with Company G, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, discuss the M240B machine gun with Philippine Marines during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) at the Naval Education and Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 5, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual bilateral exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships through commitment, capability and cooperation.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jorge A. Rosales)

Philippine and U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit share mortar-firing techniques during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) in Colonel Ernesto Ravena Air Base, Philippines, Oct. 8, 2016. The U.S. and Philippine Marine mortarmen worked together to share information about how their different mortar systems operate. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise combining amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jay A. Parks/Released)

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and members of the Philippine Marine Corps designate target points for artillery fire before the start of a combined-arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) during Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX 33) at an observation post in Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, Oct. 10, 2016. Marines with the 31st MEU joined members of the Philippine Marine Corps to take part in CALFEX, the culminating event of PHIBLEX 33. PHIBLEX 33 is an annual bilateral exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships through commitment, capability and cooperation.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Gonzalez, a scout swimmer assigned to Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security for Philippine Marines while conducting an amphibious raid as part of the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX), at Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim, Ternate, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2016.PHIBLEX 33 is an annual bilateral exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships through commitment, capability and cooperation. Gonzalez is a native of Chicago, Illinois. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal/ Released)

Philippine Marines and U.S. Marines pose for a photo during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) on Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, Oct. 7, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. The Philippine Marines are with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Marine Company. The U.S. Marines are with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Echo Company. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Lance Cpl. Jesula Jeanlouis/Released)

A U.S. Marine shows Philippine Marines the parts and functions of the shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon (SMAW) during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) on Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, Oct. 7, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. The Philippine Marines are with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Marine Company. The U.S. Marines are with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Echo Company. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Lance Cpl. Jesula Jeanlouis/Released)

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, meet, greet and play games with Filipino children during a visit to a local school during Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) on Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, October 6, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise which combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jay A. Parks/Released)

Marines with Company G, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, discuss various aspects of the assault amphibious vehicle with Philippine Marines during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) at the Naval Education and Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 5, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual bilateral exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships through commitment, capability and cooperation.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jorge A. Rosales)

U.S. Marine Cpl. Shawn Stucker, from Billings, Mont., packs his gear after a low-level static line training exercise on Basa Air Base, Philippines, during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX), Oct. 9, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. Stucker is a parachute rigger with Force Recon Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nelson Duenas/Released)

Philippine Marines learn about the RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial system from a U.S. Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during training at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX), Oct. 8, 2016. The Philippine Marines partner with their U.S. counterparts routinely to share tactics, techniques and procedures to further the U.S-Philippine bilateral partnership. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise combining amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. T.T. Parish/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Eduardo Diaz-Salazar, right, a coxswain assigned to Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, rides aboard a combat rubber raiding craft with Philippine Marines as part of Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) off the coast of Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim, Ternate, Philippines, Oct. 5, 2016. PHIBLEX 33 is an annual bilateral exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships through commitment, capability and cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit/ Released)

Philippine Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Marine Company, demonstrate a combat lifesaving skill during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) on Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, Oct. 7, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Lance Cpl. Jesula Jeanlouis/Released)

Marines with Company G, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, unload assault amphibious vehicles after an amphibious assault dry rehearsal during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX), at the Naval Education and Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2016. PHIBLEX 33 is an annual bilateral exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships through commitment, capability and cooperation. (US. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jorge A. Rosales)

Marines with Company G, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, discuss fire support tactics with Philippine Marines during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX), at the Naval Education and Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 5, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual bilateral exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships through commitment, capability and cooperation. (US. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jorge A. Rosales)

U.S. Marine military police with Military Police Platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct immediate action drills alongside Philippine Marines as part of Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, Oct. 7, 2016. The U.S. and Philippine Marines practiced improvised explosive device defense and convoy defense drills during the training. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise combining amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tiffany Edwards/Released)

Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, play with students while visiting an elementary school here, Oct. 11. The visits were part of a bilateral effort by US and Philippine armed forces to give back to the communities that help host Amphibious Landing Exercise 2013. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Completely surrounded by the natural vegetation, Cpl. Jeremy Russow, an assistant team leader with the Scout Sniper Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, crouches beside a Philippine Marine from Special Operations Platoon, 3rd Battalion, while constructing a hide site here, Oct. 9. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are conducting the 29th iteration of the Amphibious Landing Exercise alongside their Philippine Marine counterparts to further 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.

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.

An integrated squad of Marines from Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and Philippine Marines of the 33rd Battalion, 33rd Marine Company, rush for cover after being inserted by helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-262 (REIN) 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.

Subscribe 76 Philippine Marine Staff Sgt. Bernaje G. Canindo, a reconnisance marine, demonstrates fire making to U.S. Marines assigned to Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a jungle survival class as part of Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX), at Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim, Ternate, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2016. PHIBLEX 33 is an annual bilateral exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships through commitment, capability and cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal/ Released)

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.

CROW VALLEY, Republic of the Philippines - Marines and Sailors with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, consolidate around a fire, learning how to cook rice inside a bamboo trunk during a jungle survival class instructed by Philippine Marines here, Oct. 12. The event is part of the 29th iteration of the Amphibious Landing Exercise, designed to increase the interoperability of the forces and strengthen their long standing bond. 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 play volleyball with Filipino elementary school children during a community relations visit here, Oct. 7. 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.

U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Mike Simpson, jump master assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit hand salutes while executing a free-fall sky jumps from C-130 Hercules aircraft aboard Basa Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, Oct. 25, 2011. The Marines are conducting the jumps as a part of the Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2012. PHIBLEX is a bilateral training exercise that U.S Marines and the Armed Forces of the Philippines undergo annually to increase interoperability between the two allied forces.

TERNATE, Republic of the Philippines - U.S. Maj. Marcelo B. Castro, executive officer of Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires a M107 rifle at a firing range here on Oct. 25, 2011, during the Amphibious Landing Exercise. PHIBLEX is a bilateral training event that is designed to improve interoperability between the two allied forces and increase the readiness of individual units. The 31st MEU is operating in support of III Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Lance Cpl. Cody Lindeman, a machine gunner with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, works with a Philippine Marine during a mock mechanized amphibious assault, Oct. 23. The assault was a bilateral exercise, and is conducted annually by the Republic of the Philippines and United States. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

A Marine with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, partners with a Philippine Marine during a mock mechanized amphibious assault, Oct. 23. The assault was a bilateral exercise, and is conducted annually by the Republic of the Philippines and United States. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

An Amphibious Assault Vehicle with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, makes its way ashore during a mock mechanized amphibious assault, Oct. 23. The assault was a bilateral exercise, and is conducted annually by the Republic of the Philippines and United States. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.