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Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit execute a point man reaction course here, Jan. 22 - 24. The training course tested a dozen teams of three to four Marines in the challenging jungle vegetation with more than ten targets concealed in positions at varying heights. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit execute a point man reaction course here, Jan. 22 - 24. The training course tested a dozen teams of three to four Marines in the challenging jungle vegetation with more than ten targets concealed in positions at varying heights. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Marines of the riot control team for Golf Battery, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, attempt to subdue a role player wielding a weapon during the culminating event of the unit’s public disorder and non-lethal weapons employment training here, Jan. 24. One of the secondary missions of Golf Battery is to serve as a non-lethal contingency force for the 31st MEU, useful in embassy security reinforcement, humanitarian operations and many other contingencies. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Marines of the riot control team for Golf Battery, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, attempt to subdue a role player wielding a weapon during the culminating event of the unit’s public disorder and non-lethal weapons employment training here, Jan. 24. One of the secondary missions of Golf Battery is to serve as a non-lethal contingency force for the 31st MEU, useful in embassy security reinforcement, humanitarian operations and many other contingencies. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s command element gather around a computer to test a data system during a communication exercise here, Jan. 15. The Marines built a field-based command and control center for satellite and radio communication as part of their pre-deployment exercise. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s command element gather around a computer to test a data system during a communication exercise here, Jan. 15. The Marines built a field-based command and control center for satellite and radio communication as part of their pre-deployment exercise. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), drops off Marines and Sailors of the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a night raid here, Jan. 9. The raid was the first event of the Realistic Urban Training Exercise, which is part of the pre-deployment training for the 31st MEU’s regularly scheduled Spring Patrol. The training is designed and evaluated by Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, in order to challenge the full spectrum of MRF capabilities. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), drops off Marines and Sailors of the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a night raid here, Jan. 9. The raid was the first event of the Realistic Urban Training Exercise, which is part of the pre-deployment training for the 31st MEU’s regularly scheduled Spring Patrol. The training is designed and evaluated by Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, in order to challenge the full spectrum of MRF capabilities. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Lance Cpl. Clark P.E. Krupa, a machine gunner with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Portland, Oreg, posts security during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise at Kin Blue beach, Dec. 12. The Marines and sailors conducted the mission to increase their proficiency in rescuing downed personnel, providing the capability to conduct this mission within the Marine Air Ground Task Force rather than sourcing assets from other units. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Lance Cpl. Clark P.E. Krupa, a machine gunner with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Portland, Oreg, posts security during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise at Kin Blue beach, Dec. 12. The Marines and sailors conducted the mission to increase their proficiency in rescuing downed personnel, providing the capability to conduct this mission within the Marine Air Ground Task Force rather than sourcing assets from other units. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Lance Cpl. Ryan Downey, a rifleman with Company E., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, rides in an Amphibious Assault Vehicle during a mechanized raid on a notional enemy base, Dec. 12. The exercise was part of the 31st MEU’s pre-deployment training package, designed to prepare the Marines of the MEU for the next regularly scheduled theater security deployment. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force of readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Lance Cpl. Ryan Downey, a rifleman with Company E., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, rides in an Amphibious Assault Vehicle during a mechanized raid on a notional enemy base, Dec. 12. The exercise was part of the 31st MEU’s pre-deployment training package, designed to prepare the Marines of the MEU for the next regularly scheduled theater security deployment. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force of readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Alex G. Skutch, daughter of Maj. John P. Skutch, the logistics officer for the Command Element, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of New York, colors on a drawing during the 31st MEU’s Christmas party at the House of Pain gymnasium here, Dec. 12. The event provided an opportunity for the Marines and their families to spend time together, foster camaraderie and enjoy the holiday spirit. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Alex G. Skutch, daughter of Maj. John P. Skutch, the logistics officer for the Command Element, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of New York, colors on a drawing during the 31st MEU’s Christmas party at the House of Pain gymnasium here, Dec. 12. The event provided an opportunity for the Marines and their families to spend time together, foster camaraderie and enjoy the holiday spirit. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to land at Kin Blue beach in combat rubber raiding craft during a boat raid training event, Dec. 11. The exercise was part of the 31st MEU’s pre-deployment training package designed to prepare the Marines for the upcoming theater security deployment. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to land at Kin Blue beach in combat rubber raiding craft during a boat raid training event, Dec. 11. The exercise was part of the 31st MEU’s pre-deployment training package designed to prepare the Marines for the upcoming theater security deployment. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Lance Cpl. Juan J. Cabreramartinez, an administrative specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Long Beach, Calif., walks off the USS Germantown (LSD-42) here, Dec. 3, after spending more than two weeks assisting the Armed Forces of the Philippines in disaster relief efforts during Operation Damayan. Elements of the 31st MEU left Okinawa within 96 hours of receiving the mission, departing on Nov. 17. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU. - Lance Cpl. Juan J. Cabreramartinez, an administrative specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Long Beach, Calif., walks off the USS Germantown (LSD-42) here, Dec. 3, after spending more than two weeks assisting the Armed Forces of the Philippines in disaster relief efforts during Operation Damayan. Elements of the 31st MEU left Okinawa within 96 hours of receiving the mission, departing on Nov. 17. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU.

A Filipino carries a 110 lbs. bag of rice from the back of an MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), during a supply drop-off at a village here, Nov. 25. The combined Philippine and international effort delivered more than 79,000 lbs. of rice and high-energy biscuits to eight island villages. The 31st MEU, deployed with 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, in support of Joint Task Force 505, is currently supporting the government of the Philippines during Operation Damayan by assisting with disaster relief efforts in areas affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. - A Filipino carries a 110 lbs. bag of rice from the back of an MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), during a supply drop-off at a village here, Nov. 25. The combined Philippine and international effort delivered more than 79,000 lbs. of rice and high-energy biscuits to eight island villages. The 31st MEU, deployed with 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, in support of Joint Task Force 505, is currently supporting the government of the Philippines during Operation Damayan by assisting with disaster relief efforts in areas affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.