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A rifleman with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, carries a pack after arriving at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 11, 2017. BLT 3/5 replaced BLT 2/5 as the Ground Combat Element of the 31st MEU. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed unit, the 31st MEU air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stormy Mendez) - A rifleman with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, carries a pack after arriving at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 11, 2017. BLT 3/5 replaced BLT 2/5 as the Ground Combat Element of the 31st MEU. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed unit, the 31st MEU air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stormy Mendez)

Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit hike through Hacksaw Ridge, Okinawa, Japan, May 4, 2017. The Marines, noncommissioned officers with the MEU, visited World War II battle sites throughout Okinawa as part of a Marine Corps Community Services tour that was intended to boost morale throughout the NCO corps of the 31st MEU and sharpen the Marines’ mental readiness. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tiffany Edwards/Released) - Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit hike through Hacksaw Ridge, Okinawa, Japan, May 4, 2017. The Marines, noncommissioned officers with the MEU, visited World War II battle sites throughout Okinawa as part of a Marine Corps Community Services tour that was intended to boost morale throughout the NCO corps of the 31st MEU and sharpen the Marines’ mental readiness. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tiffany Edwards/Released)

U.S. Marines disembark the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) after returning from their Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region, April 6, 2017. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is prepared to respond to a wide range of military operations, from humanitarian assistance missions to limited combat operations, at a moment’s notice. As a balanced air-ground-logistics team, the 31st MEU is ready to respond throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sergeant Ernest V. Hagewood) - U.S. Marines disembark the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) after returning from their Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region, April 6, 2017. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is prepared to respond to a wide range of military operations, from humanitarian assistance missions to limited combat operations, at a moment’s notice. As a balanced air-ground-logistics team, the 31st MEU is ready to respond throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sergeant Ernest V. Hagewood)

The USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), sails in the Pacific Ocean, March 19, 2017. Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group as part their 17.1 Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st MEU’s air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jona R. Meme/Released) - The USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), sails in the Pacific Ocean, March 19, 2017. Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group as part their 17.1 Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st MEU’s air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jona R. Meme/Released)

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit starts propellers during flight operations in the Pacific Ocean aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), March 9, 2017. Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU embarked aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group, as part of their annual spring patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU, embarked on the amphibious ships of the Expeditionary Strike Group 7, has the capability to respond to any crisis or contingency at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jona R. Meme) - An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit starts propellers during flight operations in the Pacific Ocean aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), March 9, 2017. Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU embarked aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group, as part of their annual spring patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU, embarked on the amphibious ships of the Expeditionary Strike Group 7, has the capability to respond to any crisis or contingency at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jona R. Meme)

An AV-8B Harrier belonging to Marine Attack Squadron 311, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit takes off the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), in the Pacific Ocean, March 9, 2017. Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU embarked aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group, as part of their annual spring patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU, embarked on the amphibious ships of the Expeditionary Strike Group 7, has the capability to respond to any crisis or contingency at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jona R. Meme) - An AV-8B Harrier belonging to Marine Attack Squadron 311, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit takes off the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), in the Pacific Ocean, March 9, 2017. Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU embarked aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group, as part of their annual spring patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU, embarked on the amphibious ships of the Expeditionary Strike Group 7, has the capability to respond to any crisis or contingency at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jona R. Meme)

Lt. Col. Siebrand Niewenhous IV, commanding officer, Sgt. Maj. Christopher Gasser and Sgt. Maj. Max Garcia salute during a relief and appointment ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 24, 2017. Gasser relieved Garcia during the ceremony, assuming duties as senior enlisted advisor at Combat Logistics Battalion 31. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Amy Phan/Released) - Lt. Col. Siebrand Niewenhous IV, commanding officer, Sgt. Maj. Christopher Gasser and Sgt. Maj. Max Garcia salute during a relief and appointment ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 24, 2017. Gasser relieved Garcia during the ceremony, assuming duties as senior enlisted advisor at Combat Logistics Battalion 31. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Amy Phan/Released)

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit flies during flight operations aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Pacific Ocean, March 10, 2017. Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU embarked aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group, as part of their annual spring patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU, embarked on the amphibious ships of the Expeditionary Strike Group 7, has the capability to respond to any crisis or contingency at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Amy Phan) - An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit flies during flight operations aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Pacific Ocean, March 10, 2017. Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU embarked aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group, as part of their annual spring patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU, embarked on the amphibious ships of the Expeditionary Strike Group 7, has the capability to respond to any crisis or contingency at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Amy Phan)

Cpl. Kevin Foltz, a rifleman with Fox Co., Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, finishes the Jungle Warfare Training Center’s endurance course at Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 24, 2017. JWTC exposes Marines to training situations and environments unique to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region which sustain operational readiness and enhance forward deployed capabilities. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Indo-Asia- Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corp's photo by Lance Cpl. Breanna L. Weisenberger/Released) - Cpl. Kevin Foltz, a rifleman with Fox Co., Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, finishes the Jungle Warfare Training Center’s endurance course at Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 24, 2017. JWTC exposes Marines to training situations and environments unique to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region which sustain operational readiness and enhance forward deployed capabilities. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Indo-Asia- Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corp's photo by Lance Cpl. Breanna L. Weisenberger/Released)

A Marines with the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security, during a realistic urban training exercise, at the Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo Complex, Asan, Guam, Feb. 2, 2017. As the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Jorge A. Rosales/ Released) - A Marines with the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security, during a realistic urban training exercise, at the Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo Complex, Asan, Guam, Feb. 2, 2017. As the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Jorge A. Rosales/ Released)