News

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a combined amphibious assault on Dogu Beach, South Korea, in AAV-P7/A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicles as part of Ssang Yong 16, March 12, 2016. Ssang Yong is a biennial combined amphibious exercise conducted by U.S. forces with the Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps, Australian Army and Royal New Zealand Army Forces in order to strengthen interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are in Korea as part of their spring deployment to the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carl King Jr./Released) - U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a combined amphibious assault on Dogu Beach, South Korea, in AAV-P7/A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicles as part of Ssang Yong 16, March 12, 2016. Ssang Yong is a biennial combined amphibious exercise conducted by U.S. forces with the Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Corps, Australian Army and Royal New Zealand Army Forces in order to strengthen interoperability and working relationships across a wide range of military operations. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are in Korea as part of their spring deployment to the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carl King Jr./Released)

Lance Cpl. Christian E. Miller prepares to clear a building during a simulated room clearing training exercise on Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 11, 2015. The training, referred to as ‘tape room clearing,’ is essentially military operations in urban terrain training set in a two-dimensional environment where buildings are distinguished by taped outlines on the ground. Miller, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an infantryman with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Villarreal/Released) - Lance Cpl. Christian E. Miller prepares to clear a building during a simulated room clearing training exercise on Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 11, 2015. The training, referred to as ‘tape room clearing,’ is essentially military operations in urban terrain training set in a two-dimensional environment where buildings are distinguished by taped outlines on the ground. Miller, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an infantryman with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Villarreal/Released)

Lance Cpl. Alexis Vergara clears a stairway before his fire team moves to the second floor in a building in Central Training Area’s Combat Town in Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 6 2015. The Marines with Combat Logistic Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, used special effect small-arms marking system rounds and cleared buildings with opposing forces during a three day training event. Vergara, a native of Chino Hills, California, is a military policeman with Military Police Detachment, CLB 31, 31st MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abbey Perria/Released) - Lance Cpl. Alexis Vergara clears a stairway before his fire team moves to the second floor in a building in Central Training Area’s Combat Town in Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 6 2015. The Marines with Combat Logistic Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, used special effect small-arms marking system rounds and cleared buildings with opposing forces during a three day training event. Vergara, a native of Chino Hills, California, is a military policeman with Military Police Detachment, CLB 31, 31st MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abbey Perria/Released)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Riley Remoket, with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fills a water bull at a water distribution site during typhoon relief efforts in Saipan, Aug. 19, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU and CLB 31, 31st MEU, assisted the locals of Saipan by producing and distributing potable water. The Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU were conducting training near the Mariana Islands when they were redirected to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Ismael Pena/Released) - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Riley Remoket, with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fills a water bull at a water distribution site during typhoon relief efforts in Saipan, Aug. 19, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU and CLB 31, 31st MEU, assisted the locals of Saipan by producing and distributing potable water. The Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU were conducting training near the Mariana Islands when they were redirected to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Ismael Pena/Released)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. David Belgard drives an AAV-P7/A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicle through the water during an amphibious assault at Fog Bay, Australia, July 11, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Australians with Combat Team Bravo, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, assaulted the beach and moved inland to secure additional objectives as part of Talisman Sabre 2015. Talisman Sabre is a biennial exercise designed to improve the interoperability between Australian and U.S. forces. The 31st MEU is taking part in the exercise while deployed on its regularly scheduled Fall Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. Belgard, a native of Huffman, Texas, is an AAV crew chief with Echo Co., BLT 2/5, 31st MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Zachary Dyer/Released) - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. David Belgard drives an AAV-P7/A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicle through the water during an amphibious assault at Fog Bay, Australia, July 11, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Australians with Combat Team Bravo, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, assaulted the beach and moved inland to secure additional objectives as part of Talisman Sabre 2015. Talisman Sabre is a biennial exercise designed to improve the interoperability between Australian and U.S. forces. The 31st MEU is taking part in the exercise while deployed on its regularly scheduled Fall Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. Belgard, a native of Huffman, Texas, is an AAV crew chief with Echo Co., BLT 2/5, 31st MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Zachary Dyer/Released)

Lt. Col. Mike Wilonsky speaks to the Marines of Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard Feb. 22, 2015. Wilonsky used the opportunity to provide his guidance for the upcoming liberty port in Malaysia. The Marines are with BLT 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and recently concluded the annually scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released) - Lt. Col. Mike Wilonsky speaks to the Marines of Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard Feb. 22, 2015. Wilonsky used the opportunity to provide his guidance for the upcoming liberty port in Malaysia. The Marines are with BLT 2/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and recently concluded the annually scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released)

Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force scout swimmers emerge out of the water and sight in on their rifles during the Japanese Observer Exchange Program April 28, 2015 at Kin Blue. JOEP is a III Marine Expeditionary Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and JGSDF coordinated program designed to increase regional security, maintain unit readiness and enhance overall cooperation. This is the fourth iteration of JOEP for the 31st MEU after the initial partnership in September 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released) - Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force scout swimmers emerge out of the water and sight in on their rifles during the Japanese Observer Exchange Program April 28, 2015 at Kin Blue. JOEP is a III Marine Expeditionary Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and JGSDF coordinated program designed to increase regional security, maintain unit readiness and enhance overall cooperation. This is the fourth iteration of JOEP for the 31st MEU after the initial partnership in September 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Sean M. Stephenson poses for a photo in front of his AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) March 17, 2015. Stephenson started out his career as an enlisted band member and then persued his dream of becoming a pilot. Stehenson is a Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 231, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Sean M. Stephenson poses for a photo in front of his AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) March 17, 2015. Stephenson started out his career as an enlisted band member and then persued his dream of becoming a pilot. Stehenson is a Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 231, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Cpl. Brennan Palmiter shakes hands with a Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine during Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) 15 in the vicinity of Pohang, South Korea March 30, 2015. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in KMEP 15. The overall objective of KMEPs are to enhance amphibious operations between ROK and U.S. forces that contributes to security and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as the entire Asia-Pacific region. The ROK Marines are with 33rd Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division, and the U.S. Marines are with Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released) - Cpl. Brennan Palmiter shakes hands with a Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine during Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) 15 in the vicinity of Pohang, South Korea March 30, 2015. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in KMEP 15. The overall objective of KMEPs are to enhance amphibious operations between ROK and U.S. forces that contributes to security and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as the entire Asia-Pacific region. The ROK Marines are with 33rd Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division, and the U.S. Marines are with Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeremiah Skaggs poses in the hangar bay of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), at sea, March 16, 2015. Skaggs, from Stockton, California, has trained in multiple environments including Bridgeport, California, Twentynine Palms, California, Okinawa, Japan, and now aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. Skaggs is a squad leader with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and is currently participating in the MEU’s annually-scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeremiah Skaggs poses in the hangar bay of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), at sea, March 16, 2015. Skaggs, from Stockton, California, has trained in multiple environments including Bridgeport, California, Twentynine Palms, California, Okinawa, Japan, and now aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. Skaggs is a squad leader with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and is currently participating in the MEU’s annually-scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released)