Lance Cpl. Misty R. Pitts (left), a motor transportation operator with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Lance Cpl. Cheyenna L. Natonabah (right), talk with Australian Army Cpl. Elliot J. Mcdonough (middle), about the Australian Defence Force M1A1 Abrams tank during opening day of exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, July 9. During the event thousands of Australian citizens gathered in the Rockhampton Fairgrounds to view static displays of weapons and equipment set up by Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Australian Defence Forces. This exercise is a major undertaking which reflects the closeness of the Australian and U.S. alliance and the strength of the military-military relationship. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nations force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.