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Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embark aboard the USS Green Bay (LPD 20), White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 1, 2017. Detachments from the air, ground and logistics combat elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked Feb. 1, 2017 as a part of the MEU’s 17.1 Spring Patrol. The air-ground task force concept is designed to thoroughly exploit the combat power inherent in air and ground assets by closely integrating them into a single force under one commander. The MEU brings what it needs to sustain itself from the sea for the rapid accomplishment of the mission or to pave the way for follow-on forces. The size and composition of the MEU makes it well suited for amphibious operations, security operations, noncombatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance operations and special operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tiffany Edwards/Released) - Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embark aboard the USS Green Bay (LPD 20), White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 1, 2017. Detachments from the air, ground and logistics combat elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked Feb. 1, 2017 as a part of the MEU’s 17.1 Spring Patrol. The air-ground task force concept is designed to thoroughly exploit the combat power inherent in air and ground assets by closely integrating them into a single force under one commander. The MEU brings what it needs to sustain itself from the sea for the rapid accomplishment of the mission or to pave the way for follow-on forces. The size and composition of the MEU makes it well suited for amphibious operations, security operations, noncombatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance operations and special operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tiffany Edwards/Released)

A Marine with Echo Battery, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, provides security during non-combatant evacuation operation training at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12, 2017. Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise is the first in a series of pre-deployment training events to prepare the 31st MEU for the upcoming 2017 Spring Patrol. 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 Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Breanna L. Weisenberger) - A Marine with Echo Battery, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, provides security during non-combatant evacuation operation training at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12, 2017. Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise is the first in a series of pre-deployment training events to prepare the 31st MEU for the upcoming 2017 Spring Patrol. 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 Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Breanna L. Weisenberger)

Marines assigned to Landing Support Platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observe a MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, during external lift operations training at Landing Zone Falcon, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 8, 2016. The units conducted the training to complete qualifications for the 31st MEU's upcoming spring deployment. 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 Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit/ Released) - Marines assigned to Landing Support Platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observe a MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, during external lift operations training at Landing Zone Falcon, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 8, 2016. The units conducted the training to complete qualifications for the 31st MEU's upcoming spring deployment. 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 Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit/ Released)

Sgt. Andrew Sturgress, a MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts his pre-flight inspections at Oruma Air Base, Nagasaki, Japan, Nov. 18, 2016. The aircraft flew from the island of Okinawa, conducted simulated humanitarian aid with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at multiple locations and was refueled by JMSDF personnel before returning to Okinawa. Sturgess is a native of Sidney, Illinois. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit/ Released) - Sgt. Andrew Sturgress, a MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts his pre-flight inspections at Oruma Air Base, Nagasaki, Japan, Nov. 18, 2016. The aircraft flew from the island of Okinawa, conducted simulated humanitarian aid with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at multiple locations and was refueled by JMSDF personnel before returning to Okinawa. Sturgess is a native of Sidney, Illinois. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit/ Released)

U.S. Marines wait aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) before going ashore after returning from their Fall Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region, Oct. 28, 2016. 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 Lance Cpl. Amy Phan) - U.S. Marines wait aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) before going ashore after returning from their Fall Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region, Oct. 28, 2016. 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 Lance Cpl. Amy Phan)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Timothy Pryor, a hospital corpsman with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, demonstrates proper tourniquet use during a Combat Lifesaver Course aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Oct. 22, 2016. Marines taking the course learn basic lifesaving skills to respond to critical situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Samantha Villarreal) - U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Timothy Pryor, a hospital corpsman with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, demonstrates proper tourniquet use during a Combat Lifesaver Course aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Oct. 22, 2016. Marines taking the course learn basic lifesaving skills to respond to critical situations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Samantha Villarreal)

U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft belonging to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, take off from Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, after delivering a group of Marines participating in Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX), Oct. 5, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and build up partner capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. T.T. Parish/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft belonging to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, take off from Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, after delivering a group of Marines participating in Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX), Oct. 5, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and build up partner capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. T.T. Parish/Released)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Maresea Potts, a supply clerk with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, plays a game of Duck-Duck-Goose with Maruglo Elementary School students during a visit to the school on Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2016. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU visited the school to build unity between U.S. forces and the local residents during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX). PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. T.T. Parish/Released) - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Maresea Potts, a supply clerk with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, plays a game of Duck-Duck-Goose with Maruglo Elementary School students during a visit to the school on Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2016. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU visited the school to build unity between U.S. forces and the local residents during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX). PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. T.T. Parish/Released)

WHITE BEACH, Okinawa, Japan, (Aug. 20, 2016) – Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit wait on the gangplank before boarding the USS Bonhomme Richard at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 20, 2016.The 31st MEU is embarked aboard the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group during a regularly scheduled patrol of the Pacific region. - WHITE BEACH, Okinawa, Japan, (Aug. 20, 2016) – Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit wait on the gangplank before boarding the USS Bonhomme Richard at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 20, 2016. The 31st MEU is embarked aboard the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group during a regularly scheduled patrol of the Pacific region.