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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

31st MEU 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. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brandon Salas) - U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Amphibious Squadron 11 stand together with members of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, Australian Navy, U.S. Space Force, and U.S. Air Force, embarked together aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 21, 2021. T


Partner to Compete, Compete to Deter

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tommy Ngirbedul Jr., a native of Palau and radio operator with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), stands in front of patrol boat PSS President H.I. Remeliik II with Palau Bureau of Maritime Security after acting as translator during a joint ship formation in order to facilitate better communication aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) off the coast of Palau, Feb. 27, 2021. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tommy Ngirbedul Jr., a native of Palau and radio operator with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), stands in front of patrol boat PSS President H.I. Remeliik II with Palau Bureau of Maritime Security after acting as translator during a joint ship formation in order to facilitate better communication aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) off the coast of Palau, Feb. 27, 2021.


31st MEU NCO communicates with Palau representatives during joint patrol

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DSTRESS - Suicide prevention graphic


Here to ASIST

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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