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Marines

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
31st MEU Logo
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

Ready • Partnered • Lethal

Based out of Okinawa, Japan, the 31st MEU is positioned to respond to crisis anywhere in the world. Read about our history here

Commanding Officer: Col. MATTHEW C. DANNER

OKINAWA, JAPAN (Mar. 12, 2023) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Sailors assigned the forward deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), and members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo during the closing ceremony for Exercise Iron Fist aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force landing ship tank JS Osumi (LST-4001) while moored in Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 12. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strength the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shelby M. Tucker) - OKINAWA, JAPAN (Mar. 12, 2023) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Sailors assigned the forward deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), and members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo during the closing ceremony for Exercise Iron Fist aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force landing ship tank JS Osumi (LST-4001) while moored in Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 12. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strength the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shelby M. Tucker)


US Marines, Japanese forces conclude first Japan-based Iron Fist Exercise

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US Marines, Japanese forces conduct first Japan-based Exercise Iron Fist

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A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey with the 107th Aviation Unit conduct a bilateral formation flight over Mount Fuji, Japan, Mar. 17, 2022. Bilateral flights build familiarity and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese aviation units. - A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force V-22 Osprey with the 107th Aviation Unit conduct a bilateral formation flight over Mount Fuji, Japan, Mar. 17, 2022. Bilateral flights build familiarity and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese aviation units. Maritime Defense Exercise Amphibious Ready Deployment Brigade is a bilateral exercise meant to increase interoperability and strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese forces for the defense of Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cesar Ronaldo Alarcon)


MDX-ARDB: Stronger Together

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Top Photos

U.S. Marine Corps pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit fly an MV-22B Osprey to a landing zone during a forward arming and refueling point exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 12, 2023. A FARP is used to extend the capabilities of rotary or fixed wing aircrafts to allow rearming and refueling without having to fall back to a forward operating base. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elijah Murphy)

VMM 265 conduct FARP exercise

A U.S. Marine with the maritime raid force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts barricade drills at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 12, 2023. The drills honed Marines’ skills to shoot from multiple positions while behind cover. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado)

Maritime Raid Force conducts Barricade Drills

U.S. Marines with Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to board a combat rubber raiding craft at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan April 4, 2023. The Marines conducted a diving exercise to train with diver propulsion devices as well as refine their tactical diving skills. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a ready and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Marcos A. Alvarado)

ARP Dive Ops

A U.S. Marine with the maritime raid force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M40A6 sniper rifle during live-fire exercise on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, April 10, 2023. The training improved the Marines’ proficiency at the tactical level and developed critical marksmanship skills. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abigail Godinez)

Sniper Rifle Range

U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct live-fire shooting drills at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 30 2023. The drills were held to hone Marines’ skills in close quarters combat while testing Marines marksmanship. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a ready and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William N. Wallace)

3rd Reconnaissance Battalion marksmanship training at Camp Hansen Okinawa

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in an obstacle course during a Martial Arts Instructor course. The MAI course is designed to develop a Marine’s understanding of combative techniques while enduring both mental and physical stressors to establish a warrior's ethos. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado)

Martial Arts Instructor course

  

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit