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Petty Officer 3rd Class Traciemarie D. San Juan, shown here, was recently was presented with the Navy / Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her actions in stabilizing a Marine World War II veteran after he suffered a cardiac arrest while attending the 69th Reunion of Honor ceremony at Iwo To (the island formerly known as Iwo Jima). The ceremony, held Mar. 19, 2014, was a tribute to the veterans who fought at the Battle of Iwo Jima. San Juan assisted in the stabilizing and transporting of the veteran from Iwo To to the Guam Naval Hospital onboard a C-130 Super Hercules for further medical evaluation. San Juan is a corpsman with Health Service Support Platoon, Combat Logistics Battion-31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and is a native of Napa, California. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Traciemarie D. San Juan, shown here, was recently was presented with the Navy / Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her actions in stabilizing a Marine World War II veteran after he suffered a cardiac arrest while attending the 69th Reunion of Honor ceremony at Iwo To (the island formerly known as Iwo Jima). The ceremony, held Mar. 19, 2014, was a tribute to the veterans who fought at the Battle of Iwo Jima. San Juan assisted in the stabilizing and transporting of the veteran from Iwo To to the Guam Naval Hospital onboard a C-130 Super Hercules for further medical evaluation. San Juan is a corpsman with Health Service Support Platoon, Combat Logistics Battion-31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and is a native of Napa, California.

Marines with Company K, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, run toward their next objective as part of a company squad competition at Camp Hansen, Aug. 8. The competition started at 5 a.m. with one squad starting every twenty minutes. There were seven total stations the BLT Marines had to complete, which included a physical circuit course where the Marines performed squad pushups, jumping lunges and air squats. Another station challenged the Marines to answer infantry-related questions for points that helped toward their overall time. They concluded the competition with a swim before using their rifles to shoot at targets while moving from position to position. The 31st MEU is the force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Marines with Company K, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, run toward their next objective as part of a company squad competition at Camp Hansen, Aug. 8. The competition started at 5 a.m. with one squad starting every twenty minutes. There were seven total stations the BLT Marines had to complete, which included a physical circuit course where the Marines performed squad pushups, jumping lunges and air squats. Another station challenged the Marines to answer infantry-related questions for points that helped toward their overall time. They concluded the competition with a swim before using their rifles to shoot at targets while moving from position to position. The 31st MEU is the force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

U.S. Marines and soldiers with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force shake hands following the conclusion of the Japan Observer Exchange Program (JOEP) at Camp Hansen, Aug. 7. The JGSDF soldiers integrated with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as part of JOEP since June 23. The involvement of the JGSDF soldiers in the MEU’s regularly-scheduled training comes in response to the April 2012 U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee, also known as the 2+2, statement calling for the enhancement of the Asia-Pacific Region’s security and defense cooperation. The 31st MEU is the Nation’s force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU. - U.S. Marines and soldiers with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force shake hands following the conclusion of the Japan Observer Exchange Program (JOEP) at Camp Hansen, Aug. 7. The JGSDF soldiers integrated with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as part of JOEP since June 23. The involvement of the JGSDF soldiers in the MEU’s regularly-scheduled training comes in response to the April 2012 U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee, also known as the 2+2, statement calling for the enhancement of the Asia-Pacific Region’s security and defense cooperation. The 31st MEU is the Nation’s force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU.

Sergeant Levi J. Slife, a joint terminal air controller, gives a class on reads a map in preparation of calling close-air support at Afghanistan 2010. The JTAC is the chief designator of artillery or close-air support ordinance and has the final say with the pilot or gunner before they commit to the attack. Slife is with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Bn., 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Littleton, Colorado.(Courtesy photo provided by Sgt. Levi J. Slife during his second tour in Afghanistan) - Sergeant Levi J. Slife, a joint terminal air controller, gives a class on reads a map in preparation of calling close-air support at Afghanistan 2010. The JTAC is the chief designator of artillery or close-air support ordinance and has the final say with the pilot or gunner before they commit to the attack. Slife is with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Bn., 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Littleton, Colorado.(Courtesy photo provided by Sgt. Levi J. Slife during his second tour in Afghanistan)

Sapporo Okadama Airport, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan – A posted sign helps spectators understand the capabilities of the MV-22 Osprey in front of a static display during the Sapporo Air Show at Sapporo Okadama Airport, July 20. More than 50,000 spectators viewed U.S. and Japan military and commercial aircraft that were either on static display or showcased flying over the airport. “It is a great opportunity, not only for the United States military, but also for the Japan military to showcase their aircraft. We want to show the Japanese public what we do and why our alliance is so important,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew W. O’Donnell Jr., the deputy commander of United States Forces, Japan. This is the first time the Osprey has flown to Sapporo. The pilots and crew of the Osprey are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Photo by Cpl. Henry Antenor) - Sapporo Okadama Airport, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan – A posted sign helps spectators understand the capabilities of the MV-22 Osprey in front of a static display during the Sapporo Air Show at Sapporo Okadama Airport, July 20. More than 50,000 spectators viewed U.S. and Japan military and commercial aircraft that were either on static display or showcased flying over the airport. “It is a great opportunity, not only for the United States military, but also for the Japan military to showcase their aircraft. We want to show the Japanese public what we do and why our alliance is so important,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew W. O’Donnell Jr., the deputy commander of United States Forces, Japan. This is the first time the Osprey has flown to Sapporo. The pilots and crew of the Osprey are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Photo by Cpl. Henry Antenor)

Marines fast-rope from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter July 18 at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during a Marine Expeditionary Unit exercise. The training scenario called for the 31st MEU’s Battalion Landing Team to insert via aircraft into a landing zone near a simulated hostile village to seize and capture high-value individuals. The Marines are with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU. The aircraft is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, which is part of the MEU’s air combat element. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released) - Marines fast-rope from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter July 18 at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, during a Marine Expeditionary Unit exercise. The training scenario called for the 31st MEU’s Battalion Landing Team to insert via aircraft into a landing zone near a simulated hostile village to seize and capture high-value individuals. The Marines are with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU. The aircraft is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, which is part of the MEU’s air combat element. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Adam B. Miller/Released)

Sergeant Nagai Tukasa, a mortarman with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s 12 Infantry Regiment, prepares to submerge during shallow water egress training (SWET) at Camp Hansen’s pool, June 26. The SWET course covered how to use a breathing regulator and flotation device as well as techniques on how to escape an aircraft while submerged underwater. The involvement of JGSDF soldiers in the MEU’s regularly-scheduled training comes in response to the April 2012 U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee, also known as the 2+2, statement calling for the enhancement of bilateral security and defense cooperation. (U.S. Marine Photo by Cpl. Henry J. Antenor) - Sergeant Nagai Tukasa, a mortarman with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s 12 Infantry Regiment, prepares to submerge during shallow water egress training (SWET) at Camp Hansen’s pool, June 26. The SWET course covered how to use a breathing regulator and flotation device as well as techniques on how to escape an aircraft while submerged underwater. The involvement of JGSDF soldiers in the MEU’s regularly-scheduled training comes in response to the April 2012 U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee, also known as the 2+2, statement calling for the enhancement of bilateral security and defense cooperation. (U.S. Marine Photo by Cpl. Henry J. Antenor)

Sgt. Michael Smego, left, plays with a child at the Nagomi Nursing Home for Children June 22 in Nago. During the visit, Marines and sailors played games and shared lunch with young members of the Okinawa community. Smego is a Hastings, Pennsylvania, native and motor vehicle operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released) - Sgt. Michael Smego, left, plays with a child at the Nagomi Nursing Home for Children June 22 in Nago. During the visit, Marines and sailors played games and shared lunch with young members of the Okinawa community. Smego is a Hastings, Pennsylvania, native and motor vehicle operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released)

Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, spray water on the Mobile Aircraft Firefighting Training Device during a crash fire rescue scenario at the base fire station, June 19. The week-long course instructed Marines on advancing and sweeping techniques with the hoses on a burning mock aircraft. The Marines are not from firefighting billets but are taught to be first-responders to potential aircraft accidents when the unit is embarked aboard Navy ships with the MEU. The 31st MEU is the force of choice for the Asia-Pacific and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Kuppers) - Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, spray water on the Mobile Aircraft Firefighting Training Device during a crash fire rescue scenario at the base fire station, June 19. The week-long course instructed Marines on advancing and sweeping techniques with the hoses on a burning mock aircraft. The Marines are not from firefighting billets but are taught to be first-responders to potential aircraft accidents when the unit is embarked aboard Navy ships with the MEU. The 31st MEU is the force of choice for the Asia-Pacific and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Kuppers)