News

M1A1 Abrams Tanks with Company C., 4th Tank Battalion, Marine Corps Forces Reserve, fire 120mm rounds at targets during a combined arms, live-fire exercise (CALFEX) as part of Exercise Ssang Yong 2014 (SY14) here, April 4. The CALFEX incorporated all aspects of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force, sending a company of Marines into assault with direct fire support from AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1Y Huey helicopters, AAV’s, Light Armored Vehicle-25’s and M777A1 Lightweight Howitzers. SY14 is conducted annually in the Republic of Korea to enhance interoperability between U.S. and ROK forces by performing a full spectrum of amphibious operations, while showcasing sea-based power projection in the Asia-Pacific. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Kuppers)  - M1A1 Abrams Tanks with Company C., 4th Tank Battalion, Marine Corps Forces Reserve, fire 120mm rounds at targets during a combined arms, live-fire exercise (CALFEX) as part of Exercise Ssang Yong 2014 (SY14) here, April 4. The CALFEX incorporated all aspects of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force, sending a company of Marines into assault with direct fire support from AH-1W Super Cobra and UH-1Y Huey helicopters, AAV’s, Light Armored Vehicle-25’s and M777A1 Lightweight Howitzers. SY14 is conducted annually in the Republic of Korea to enhance interoperability between U.S. and ROK forces by performing a full spectrum of amphibious operations, while showcasing sea-based power projection in the Asia-Pacific. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Kuppers) 

Marines with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Landing Team 31, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, post security on an airfield as part of Exercise Ssang Yong 14 here, April 7. Exercise Ssang Yong is conducted annually in the Republic of Korea to enhance the interoperability of U.S. and ROK forces by performing a full spectrum of amphibious operations while showcasing sea-based power projection in the Pacific. - Marines with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Landing Team 31, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, post security on an airfield as part of Exercise Ssang Yong 14 here, April 7. Exercise Ssang Yong is conducted annually in the Republic of Korea to enhance the interoperability of U.S. and ROK forces by performing a full spectrum of amphibious operations while showcasing sea-based power projection in the Pacific.

A boy from the Pohang Orphanage uses the camera of Gunnery Sgt. Ismael Pena, combat camera chief for the Command Element, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Yakima, Wash., during a visit by 24 Marines and Sailors here, April 5. The Pohang orphanage was founded after the Korean War in 1953 by a Navy chaplain from the 1st Marine Air Wing. In 1954, the Navy Seabees constructed the original building. Since then, the children taken in by the orphanage have known regular visits from their camouflaged friends. The visit comes at the conclusion of the 31st MEU’s participation in Exercise Ssang Yong 2014, a bilateral training event that is a tribute to the maturity of the US-ROK relationship. - A boy from the Pohang Orphanage uses the camera of Gunnery Sgt. Ismael Pena, combat camera chief for the Command Element, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Yakima, Wash., during a visit by 24 Marines and Sailors here, April 5. The Pohang orphanage was founded after the Korean War in 1953 by a Navy chaplain from the 1st Marine Air Wing. In 1954, the Navy Seabees constructed the original building. Since then, the children taken in by the orphanage have known regular visits from their camouflaged friends. The visit comes at the conclusion of the 31st MEU’s participation in Exercise Ssang Yong 2014, a bilateral training event that is a tribute to the maturity of the US-ROK relationship.

Concertina wire surrounds the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s command operations center for Regimental Landing Team 31, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, as part of Exercise Ssang Yong 2014 here, April 2. For the duration of the exercise, the 31st MEU’s CE became RLT-31, which is the ground combat element of 3d MEB for the bilateral training exercise with Republic of South Korea forces. RLT-31 consists of Battalion Landing Teams 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; 1st Battalion, 4th Marines; 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines; as well as elements of 1st Tank Battalion, 4th Tank Battalion, 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion and 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Ssang Yong shows the interoperability of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and US forces, and demonstrates their ability to conduct amphibious operations and exercise expeditionary capabilities. - Concertina wire surrounds the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s command operations center for Regimental Landing Team 31, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, as part of Exercise Ssang Yong 2014 here, April 2. For the duration of the exercise, the 31st MEU’s CE became RLT-31, which is the ground combat element of 3d MEB for the bilateral training exercise with Republic of South Korea forces. RLT-31 consists of Battalion Landing Teams 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; 1st Battalion, 4th Marines; 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines; as well as elements of 1st Tank Battalion, 4th Tank Battalion, 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion and 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Ssang Yong shows the interoperability of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and US forces, and demonstrates their ability to conduct amphibious operations and exercise expeditionary capabilities.

Marines with Company E., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Landing Team 31, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, set up security positions after an amphibious assault as part of Exercise SSang Yong 2014 here, March 31. Elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in a simulated forcible entry operation, serving multiple roles as part of the 3d MEB. Ssang Yong is intended to strengthen ROK-US combat readiness and combined interoperability, and advance the command and control capabilities of the ROK Marine Corps through combined amphibious operations. - Marines with Company E., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Landing Team 31, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, set up security positions after an amphibious assault as part of Exercise SSang Yong 2014 here, March 31. Elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in a simulated forcible entry operation, serving multiple roles as part of the 3d MEB. Ssang Yong is intended to strengthen ROK-US combat readiness and combined interoperability, and advance the command and control capabilities of the ROK Marine Corps through combined amphibious operations.

Lance Cpl. Zachary T. Love (right), a machine gunner with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Leewood, Kans., checks the belt of ammunition after reloading a M240B machine gun for teammate Lance Cpl. Bret N. Robison, a machine gunner with Co. F., BLT 2/5, 31st MEU, and native of San Diego, Calif., during live-fire sustainment training in the Combat Marksmanship Program here, March 19. The full-day event was composed of engaging targets at varying ranges using the M4 carbine, M16A4 service rifle, M9 pistol and M240B machine gun. The 31st MEU is currently completing its certification exercise, evaluated by Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, to assess the unit’s ability to accomplish mission essential tasks while deployed aboard the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Lance Cpl. Zachary T. Love (right), a machine gunner with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Leewood, Kans., checks the belt of ammunition after reloading a M240B machine gun for teammate Lance Cpl. Bret N. Robison, a machine gunner with Co. F., BLT 2/5, 31st MEU, and native of San Diego, Calif., during live-fire sustainment training in the Combat Marksmanship Program here, March 19. The full-day event was composed of engaging targets at varying ranges using the M4 carbine, M16A4 service rifle, M9 pistol and M240B machine gun. The 31st MEU is currently completing its certification exercise, evaluated by Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, to assess the unit’s ability to accomplish mission essential tasks while deployed aboard the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

A Marine attached to the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security near a potable water bowl as role-players flock to receive water at a mock foreign village, March 16. The 31st MEU provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies to a village devastated by an earthquake, requiring the delivery of 26,000 gallons of water and additional food and aid items. The HA/DR training is in support of the 31st MEU’s Certification Exercise, a training package that tests the capabilities of the MEU in a variety of scenarios and is evaluated by members of the Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - A Marine attached to the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security near a potable water bowl as role-players flock to receive water at a mock foreign village, March 16. The 31st MEU provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies to a village devastated by an earthquake, requiring the delivery of 26,000 gallons of water and additional food and aid items. The HA/DR training is in support of the 31st MEU’s Certification Exercise, a training package that tests the capabilities of the MEU in a variety of scenarios and is evaluated by members of the Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marines with Battery G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, shield themselves from objects before attempting to drive protesters away from the embassy gate during a mock hostile protest, March 15. The simulated embassy is home to the 31st MEU’s Forward Command Element, a command cell that coordinates with a host nation’s government to organize the delivery of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies to people in need. The HA/DR training is in support of the 31st MEU’s Certification Exercise, a training package that tests the capabilities of the MEU in a variety of scenarios and is evaluated by members of the Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines with Battery G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, shield themselves from objects before attempting to drive protesters away from the embassy gate during a mock hostile protest, March 15. The simulated embassy is home to the 31st MEU’s Forward Command Element, a command cell that coordinates with a host nation’s government to organize the delivery of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies to people in need. The HA/DR training is in support of the 31st MEU’s Certification Exercise, a training package that tests the capabilities of the MEU in a variety of scenarios and is evaluated by members of the Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Amphibious Squadron 11 and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), stand in formation during a ceremony to commemorate the victims of the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), Mar. 11. During Operation Tomodachi, the 31st MEU and PHIBRON-11 distributed 164,000 pounds of food, thousands of gallons of water and other relief supplies to Kesennuma, Oshima Island and other areas throughout the Honshu region. Colonel John Merna, commanding officer of the 31st MEU and a native of Prince George’s County, Md., said, “General Mattis once said that when it comes to U.S. Marines, there is no better friend, no worse enemy. The friendships made with the people of Oshima Island, for example, continue to this day. The history of the 31st MEU - PHIBRON-11 team will be forever linked to the people of Oshima Island.” The 31st MEU is currently conducting amphibious integration training alongside PHIBRON-11 while deployed for its regularly-scheduled Spring Patrol. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Amphibious Squadron 11 and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), stand in formation during a ceremony to commemorate the victims of the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), Mar. 11. During Operation Tomodachi, the 31st MEU and PHIBRON-11 distributed 164,000 pounds of food, thousands of gallons of water and other relief supplies to Kesennuma, Oshima Island and other areas throughout the Honshu region. Colonel John Merna, commanding officer of the 31st MEU and a native of Prince George’s County, Md., said, “General Mattis once said that when it comes to U.S. Marines, there is no better friend, no worse enemy. The friendships made with the people of Oshima Island, for example, continue to this day. The history of the 31st MEU - PHIBRON-11 team will be forever linked to the people of Oshima Island.” The 31st MEU is currently conducting amphibious integration training alongside PHIBRON-11 while deployed for its regularly-scheduled Spring Patrol. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Marines and sailors with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, for a night raid on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Mar. 10. The raid force captured an airstrip and village from simulated enemy forces under the cover of darkness. The 31st MEU is currently conducting amphibious integration training alongside Amphibious Squadron 11 while deployed for its regularly scheduled Spring Patrol. - Marines and sailors with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, for a night raid on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Mar. 10. The raid force captured an airstrip and village from simulated enemy forces under the cover of darkness. The 31st MEU is currently conducting amphibious integration training alongside Amphibious Squadron 11 while deployed for its regularly scheduled Spring Patrol.