31st Marine Expeditionary Unit News

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

1st Iris Robare — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 08:40:00 GMT

Today, members of the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) and U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed the first Japan-based Iron Fist exercise. Iron Fist is an annual exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). This iteration of Iron Fist included ships from the JMSDF for the first time, which conducted rehearsals and integration with the 31st MEU and 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment (ARDR) throughout the exercise.

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

Capt. Pawel Puczko — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 11:57:58 GMT

U.S. Marines and Sailors are scheduled to participate in Exercise Iron Fist 2023 alongside members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).

MDX-ARDB: Stronger Together

DoD News — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade began their first dedicated bilateral training exercise together, taking place at Numazu Beach, Japan, and Combined Arms Training Center Fuji, Japan.

31st MEU conducts integrated training alongside Naval Special Warfare

DoD News — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 23:00:00 GMT

OKINAWA, Japan (Jan. 31, 2022) – Sparks flew from the whetstone as the battle-ax that is the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) sharpened its lethal edge, conducting integrated training on the beachheads and jungle terrain of Okinawa in January. As the MEU’s forward reconnaissance platoon advanced on their objective during the exercise, the opposite blade of the same formidable weapon – a platoon of Navy SEALs assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) 1 – glinted in shafts of sunlight piercing through the canopy.

Breaking through the Canopy at JWTC

DoD News — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

CAMP GONZALVES, Japan – U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), attended Okinawa’s JWTC for a 10-day course from Jan. 4-14, aiming to sharpen their mission capabilities in contested areas. This course is a small look into a larger initiative from the Marine Corps’ Stand-in Force (SIF) concept, which emphasizes lethality and survivability in austere environments.

2020 United States Marine Corps Motor Transport Awards Program

Cpl. Karis Mattingly — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 01:13:16 GMT

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan – A U.S. Marine attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit was recognized as a recipient of the 2020 United States Marine Corps Motor Transport Awards Program, on Camp Hansen, May 11.

Kaley Gee receives a meritorious promotion to Sergeant

Cpl. Alexandria Nowell — Sun, 02 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Kaley Gee receives a meritorious promotion to Sergeant

US Marines conduct Vehicle Commander Course

Cpl. Karis Mattingly and Sgt. Daisha Ramirez — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa -- U.S. Marines with Command Element, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted the Vehicle Commander Course on Camp Hansen, April 19-23 and 29.

Razor Sharp Mind aboard the America

Cpl. Cody Rowe — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 04:00:00 GMT

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.

Partner to Compete, Compete to Deter

1st Lt. Stephanie Murphy — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 05:26:00 GMT

The Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and the soldiers of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force executed a bilateral raid at Kin Blue Beach and in the Central Training Area (CTA), Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 1, 2021. The 31st MEU routinely conducts bilateral training in order to increase interoperability with regional partners, and views the JGSDF as an important ally as we ‘partner to compete, and compete to deter’ in the Indo-Pacific region.

31st MEU NCO communicates with Palau representatives during joint patrol

Sgt. Dominic Clay — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMT

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tommy Ngirbedul Jr., a native of Palau and radio operator with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), communicated with representatives from the Palau Bureau of Maritime Security aboard patrol boat PSS President H.I. Remeliik II 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.

Here to ASIST

Cpl. Alexandria Nowell — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 08:06:00 GMT

U.S. Marines and Sailors from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) attend a two-day class to become Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) First-Aid caregivers. The value of training Marines and Sailors on how to intervene when one is struggling cannot be measured.

MEU Exercise: Building the Team

1st Lt. Stephanie Murphy — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 07:05:46 GMT

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), comprised of Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (BLT 3/4), Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Reinforced, and Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 31, wrapped up two full weeks of rapid mission planning and execution during MEU Exercise (MEUEX), here, Dec. 18, 2020.

Habu Attack in Kin Town

Cpl. Brandon Salas — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Using lifesaving skills he learned from the Marine Corps, Sgt. John James from Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was able to save a local elderly woman from a venomous snake bite on Nov. 6, 2020.

Fight and Deliver: 31st MEU, America ARG Build an Integrated Blue-Green Team

1st Lt. Stephanie Murphy — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Over the course of a recent deployment, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) enhanced interoperability between the Navy-Marine Corps team, challenging old patterns and finding new ways to integrate capabilities. The 31st MEU and America ARG are constantly striving to improve Navy-Marine Corps integration because this teamwork is critical to mission success.

Additive Manufacturing: CLB-31 Supports the Blue-Green Team with 3D Printing Technology

Lance Cpl. Joshua Brittenham — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 04:57:00 GMT

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).

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

Sgt. Audrey Rampton — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

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).

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

Lance Cpl. Brienna Tuck — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT

PHILIPPINE SEA – The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG)

Prepare to be Boarded: 31st MEU, America ARG conduct VBSS rehearsal in South China Sea

1st Lt. Stephanie Murphy — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 05:57:00 GMT

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.

Crisis Response: CLB-31, 31st MEU prepare NCO's to lead the way

Sgt. Audrey Rampton — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 04:00:00 GMT

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.