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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

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Kaley Gee, the Marine Air Ground Task Force planning specialist chief and training non-commissioned officer with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Command Element, receives a meritorious promotion on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 2, 2021. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Kaley Gee, the Marine Air Ground Task Force planning specialist chief and training non-commissioned officer with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Command Element, receives a meritorious promotion on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 2, 2021. 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. Alexandria Nowell)


Kaley Gee receives a meritorious promotion to Sergeant

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U.S Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Luckner Desma, chief, Motor Transport Operations goes over immediate action drills during a Vehicle Commander Course on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 20, 2021. - U.S Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Luckner Desma, chief, Motor Transport Operations goes over immediate action drills during a Vehicle Commander Course on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 20, 2021. The command element conducted a Vehicle Commander Course (VCC) instruction and testing in order to train and assess the tactical and technical proficiency of Marines in order to certify them to serve as Vehicle Commanders. 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 Sgt. Daisha R. Ramirez)


US Marines conduct Vehicle Commander Course

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The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is operating aboard ships of the America Expeditionary Strike Group in the 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. Navy Hull Technician 2nd Class Dawsen Forbes, a hull technician assigned to amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), and a native of Denver, North Carolina, fits a laptop inside a welded aluminum piece within a light tactical all-terrain vehicle (MRZR) aboard LHA 6 in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 20, 2021. Forbes designed and welded aluminum parts to fit inside the MRZR to help secure radios, laptops and extra equipment during training exercises and operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody Rowe)


Razor Sharp Mind aboard the America

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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