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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sergio Rios, a system repairer with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets up a radio system during a communication exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 19, 2024. Marines with the 31st MEU were paired with instructors from Deploying Group Systems Integration Testing to ensure that the Marines are efficient in functioning Command, Control, Communications and Computer equipment and are prepared for real-world contingencies. 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 premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. Rios is a native of Nevada. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Sergio Rios, a system repairer with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets up a radio system during a communication exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 19, 2024. Marines with the 31st MEU were paired with instructors from Deploying Group Systems Integration Testing to ensure that the Marines are efficient in functioning Command, Control, Communications and Computer equipment and are prepared for real-world contingencies. 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 premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. Rios is a native of Nevada. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla)

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, pose for a photo next to an UH-1Y Venom helicopter during an award ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 6, 2024. On October 12, 2024, the Marines assisted in saving the life of a local woman who had been swept away by strong currents near Cape Zanpa, Okinawa, Japan. The decisive actions carried out by the Marines that day not only saved a life, but demonstrated the Marines’ commitment to the local community, even when off-duty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Diaz Montes De Oca) - U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, pose for a photo next to an UH-1Y Venom helicopter during an award ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 6, 2024. On October 12, 2024, the Marines assisted in saving the life of a local woman who had been swept away by strong currents near Cape Zanpa, Okinawa, Japan. The decisive actions carried out by the Marines that day not only saved a life, but demonstrated the Marines’ commitment to the local community, even when off-duty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Diaz Montes De Oca)

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit stand in formation during a relief and appointment ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 31, 2024. U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Charles B. Peoples relinquished his role as sergeant major of the 31st MEU to Sgt. Maj. Julio A. Mercedes. 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 premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul SotoVilla) - U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit stand in formation during a relief and appointment ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 31, 2024. U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Charles B. Peoples relinquished his role as sergeant major of the 31st MEU to Sgt. Maj. Julio A. Mercedes. 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 premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul SotoVilla)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Soldiers with the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 11, 2024. CLB-31 hosted the ARDB to foster mutual understanding and improving interoperability between the two forces by sharing a wide range of capabilities and practices. 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 premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado) - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Soldiers with the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 11, 2024. CLB-31 hosted the ARDB to foster mutual understanding and improving interoperability between the two forces by sharing a wide range of capabilities and practices. 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 premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado)

U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z attack helicopter pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire an AGM-179 joint air-to-ground munition (JAGM) during an expeditionary (EXPO) strike, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, June 26, 2024. This EXPO strike launched the first JAGM off an AH-1Z in the Indo-Pacific region. The JAGM provides a true “fire and forget” capability to guide the missile to endgame, able to destroy fast-moving maritime targets like fast attack craft (FAC) in rough sea states. 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 premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Lape) - U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z attack helicopter pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire an AGM-179 joint air-to-ground munition (JAGM) during an expeditionary (EXPO) strike, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, June 26, 2024. This EXPO strike launched the first JAGM off an AH-1Z in the Indo-Pacific region. The JAGM provides a true “fire and forget” capability to guide the missile to endgame, able to destroy fast-moving maritime targets like fast attack craft (FAC) in rough sea states. 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 premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Lape)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Danner, left, the commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Japan Ground Self Defense Force Col. Hajime Tsuji, the commanding officer of the 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, shake hands during the opening ceremony of Iron Fist 24, on Camp Ainoura, Sasebo, Japan, Feb. 25, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Danner, left, the commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Japan Ground Self Defense Force Col. Hajime Tsuji, the commanding officer of the 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, shake hands during the opening ceremony of Iron Fist 24, on Camp Ainoura, Sasebo, Japan, Feb. 25, 2024. The opening ceremony initiated training between the two armed forces. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Peter J. Eilen)

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)

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)