31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

Ready - Partnered - Lethal

Okinawa, Japan

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 27, 2020) U.S. Marine Capt. William Cooper, a pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and native of Los Alamos, New Mexico, goes over a checklist before dropping illumination flares from an MV-22B Osprey after taking from amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6).

VMM-262 (REIN) flight operations from USS America

PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 24, 2020) Staff Sgt. Jack Hubbard, a radio technician with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), observes a 3D printer as it prints an equipment part used aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18).

CLB-31 supports the blue-green team with 3D printing technology

1st Lt. Alex Cervantes, a field artillery officer with Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team (BLT), 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), from Corona, California, graduated May of 2018 from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering before deciding to join the Marines. He commissioned in June 2018, his very first salute to his father, Benny Cervantez, who served from 1984-1992. Cervantez is currently serving with the 31st MEU aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18).

From Aerospace to Artillery: Into the life of a fire support officer with BLT 2/4, 31st MEU

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 17, 2020) 1st Lt. Rio Sarmiento, assigned to the 16th Space Control Squadron (SPCS), was administered the oath of office into the United States Space Force by U.S. Marine Col. Michael Nakonieczny, commanding officer of the 31st MEU, aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). Sarmiento was transferred from being an Air Force Space Operations Officer to becoming the first Space Force Liaison Officer (LNO) deployed with the 31st MEU. America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brienna Tuck)

Semper Supra: 31st MEU Welcomes First Space Force Officer Aboard USS America

TRAP is the capability to conduct overland rescue and recovery of downed aircraft personnel, equipment, and to provide advanced trauma life support in a benign or hostile environment.

BLT 2/4, 31st MEU conducts simulated TRAP mission

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 9, 2020) A Marine with the Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), climbs down a caving ladder to board a rigid-hull inflatable boat from the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) to conduct a reconnaissance and surveillance training mission in preparation for a boat raid.

ARP, 31st MEU conducts reconnaissance training mission

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sep. 6, 2020) An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), flies past amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during a communication exercise.

31st MEU tests air to ground communications aboard USS America

PHIILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 11, 2020) Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) debark USS New Orleans (LPD 18) during a boat raid exercise.

High tide: Fox Co, 31st MEU debark USS New Orleans on boat raid

Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit transport simulated casualties during a mass casualty drill, or Nightingale, aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 10, 2020.

31st MEU rehearses mass casualty drill

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced) prepares to take off from amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 25, 2020.

VMM-262 (REIN) flight ops aboard USS America

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sept. 6, 2020) Reconnaissance Marines with the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct a visit, board, search and seizure rehearsal.

31st MEU Reconnaissance Marines conduct VBSS in South China Sea

PHILIPPINE SEA (Aug. 23, 2020) Marines with the Maritime Raid Force (MRF), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fast rope out of a MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6).

31st MEU MRF Marines fast roping

What's new with the MEU

Additive Manufacturing: CLB-31 Supports the Blue-Green Team with 3D Printing Technology By Lance Cpl. Joshua Brittenham | October 9, 2020 Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 31 are using 3D printing technology to save thousands of dollars and weeks of time for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). MORE

From Aerospace to Artillery: Into the life of a fire support officer with BLT 2/4, 31st MEU By Sgt. Audrey Rampton | October 7, 2020 1st Lt. Alex Cervantes, a field artillery officer with Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team (BLT), 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), from Corona, California, graduated May of 2018 from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering before deciding to join the Marines. He commissioned in June 2018, his very first salute to his father, Benny Cervantez, who served from 1984-1992. Cervantez is currently serving with the 31st MEU aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18). MORE

Semper Supra: 31st MEU Welcomes First Space Force Officer Aboard USS America By Lance Cpl. Brienna Tuck | September 17, 2020 PHILIPPINE SEA – The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) MORE

Prepare to be Boarded: 31st MEU, America ARG conduct VBSS rehearsal in South China Sea By 1st Lt. Stephanie Murphy | September 6, 2020 The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) executed a simulated visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) mission in the South China Sea, Sept. 6, 2020. MORE

Crisis Response: CLB-31, 31st MEU prepare NCO's to lead the way By Sgt. Audrey Rampton | August 21, 2020 PHILIPPINE SEA – Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), attend a class about the CLB’s roll in non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18), Aug. 21, 2020. The non-commissioned officers (NCO) in attendance learned the key components of NEO and HADR missions, as well as how the command uses the rapid response planning process to launch teams for quick action. MORE

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