News

Staff Sgt. Lamar C. Painter, the motor transportation chief with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Bremen, Ga., assists a role-player in filling water containers during humanitarian assistance training as part of the 31st MEU’s Certification Exercise here, Aug. 9. The HA mission was designed to test the 31st MEU’s ability to assist a community cut off from food, water, and medical attention. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU. - Staff Sgt. Lamar C. Painter, the motor transportation chief with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Bremen, Ga., assists a role-player in filling water containers during humanitarian assistance training as part of the 31st MEU’s Certification Exercise here, Aug. 9. The HA mission was designed to test the 31st MEU’s ability to assist a community cut off from food, water, and medical attention. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU.

Artillerymen with Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire a high explosive round in support of a combined artillery and close air support training exercise following the conclusion of Talisman Saber 2013 here, Aug. 1. The live-fire exercise provided effective and intense training to ensure Australian and U.S. forces are capable, interoperable, deployable on short notice and combat-ready. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Artillerymen with Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire a high explosive round in support of a combined artillery and close air support training exercise following the conclusion of Talisman Saber 2013 here, Aug. 1. The live-fire exercise provided effective and intense training to ensure Australian and U.S. forces are capable, interoperable, deployable on short notice and combat-ready. 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 120mm mortar platoon for Echo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load a round into an M327 120mm mortar during a combined artillery and close air support training exercise following the conclusion of Talisman Saber 2013 here, Aug. 3. The live-fire exercise provided effective and intense training to ensure Australian and U.S. forces foster and sustain cooperative relationships that enhance regional security, stability and prosperity. 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 120mm mortar platoon for Echo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load a round into an M327 120mm mortar during a combined artillery and close air support training exercise following the conclusion of Talisman Saber 2013 here, Aug. 3. The live-fire exercise provided effective and intense training to ensure Australian and U.S. forces foster and sustain cooperative relationships that enhance regional security, stability and prosperity. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Captain Corey S. Healey, the forward air controller for Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Potsdam, N.Y., coordinates with his Australian counterparts to complete a close air support mission during a four-day, live-fire exercise following the conclusion of Talisman Saber 13 here, July 31. The live-fire exercise included the coordination of fire-support assets from the 31st MEU; the USS Chung-Hoon, an Arleigh Burke-class AEGIS destroyer; the HMAS Perth III, an ANZAC Class frigate; and the Australian Army. The exercise provided effective and intense training to ensure U.S. and Australian forces are capable, interoperable, deployable on short notice and combat ready. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps' force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Captain Corey S. Healey, the forward air controller for Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Potsdam, N.Y., coordinates with his Australian counterparts to complete a close air support mission during a four-day, live-fire exercise following the conclusion of Talisman Saber 13 here, July 31. The live-fire exercise included the coordination of fire-support assets from the 31st MEU; the USS Chung-Hoon, an Arleigh Burke-class AEGIS destroyer; the HMAS Perth III, an ANZAC Class frigate; and the Australian Army. The exercise provided effective and intense training to ensure U.S. and Australian forces are capable, interoperable, deployable on short notice and combat ready. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps' force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Queensland, Australia – Lance Cpl. Nathaniel U. Manygoats, infantry assaultman with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of Indian Wells, Ariz., runs to a different fighting position during the onset of an engagement with oppositional role players from the Australian Defense Force as part of exercise Talisman Saber 2013, July 23. Talisman Saber 2013 is a biennial training exercise between the U.S. and Australian forces, aimed at improving combat readiness and interoperability while enhancing stability in the Asia-Pacific region. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jonathan G. Wright) - SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Queensland, Australia – Lance Cpl. Nathaniel U. Manygoats, infantry assaultman with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of Indian Wells, Ariz., runs to a different fighting position during the onset of an engagement with oppositional role players from the Australian Defense Force as part of exercise Talisman Saber 2013, July 23. Talisman Saber 2013 is a biennial training exercise between the U.S. and Australian forces, aimed at improving combat readiness and interoperability while enhancing stability in the Asia-Pacific region. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jonathan G. Wright)

Lance Cpl. Joshua C. Davila, a team leader with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of San Antonio, Texas, engages targets during a Combat Marksmanship Program event here, July 30. The marksmanship training followed the conclusion of exercise Talisman Saber 2013, a biennial training activity between the U.S. and Australian armed forces that provides realistic and relevant training necessary to maintain security, peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Lance Cpl. Joshua C. Davila, a team leader with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of San Antonio, Texas, engages targets during a Combat Marksmanship Program event here, July 30. The marksmanship training followed the conclusion of exercise Talisman Saber 2013, a biennial training activity between the U.S. and Australian armed forces that provides realistic and relevant training necessary to maintain security, peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Corporal Jorge L. Rodriquez, the Raven team leader for Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Skokie, Ill., throws the Raven B. unmanned aerial vehicle into the air during Talisman Saber 13 here, July 22. The Marines with the Raven team provided near-continuous intelligence surveillance throughout the Shoalwater Bay Training Area for the 31st MEU during Talisman Saber 13.The 31st MEU simulated offensive and defensive operations against an opposing force comprised of Australian Army soldiers and Marines from the rotational force-Darwin, providing the team valuable experience in a realistic combat environment. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward deployed MEU. - Corporal Jorge L. Rodriquez, the Raven team leader for Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Skokie, Ill., throws the Raven B. unmanned aerial vehicle into the air during Talisman Saber 13 here, July 22. The Marines with the Raven team provided near-continuous intelligence surveillance throughout the Shoalwater Bay Training Area for the 31st MEU during Talisman Saber 13.The 31st MEU simulated offensive and defensive operations against an opposing force comprised of Australian Army soldiers and Marines from the rotational force-Darwin, providing the team valuable experience in a realistic combat environment. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward deployed MEU.

SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Queensland, Australia – Marines with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive a Light Armored Vehicle down a ridge line while conducting route reconnaissance as a part of Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 27. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are part of an integrated force of approximately 18,000 U.S. service members training alongside approximately 9,000 Australian service members in the fifth iteration of Talisman Saber 2013, a month-long biennial exercise provides realistic, relevant training necessary to maintain regional security, peace and stability. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU. - SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Queensland, Australia – Marines with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive a Light Armored Vehicle down a ridge line while conducting route reconnaissance as a part of Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 27. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are part of an integrated force of approximately 18,000 U.S. service members training alongside approximately 9,000 Australian service members in the fifth iteration of Talisman Saber 2013, a month-long biennial exercise provides realistic, relevant training necessary to maintain regional security, peace and stability. 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 G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, open fire on an enemy encampment during a night assault here, July 26. The assault was in support of Talisman Saber 2013, a biennial training activity between the U.S. and Australian forces that provides effective and intense training to ensure the combined forces are capable, interoperable, deployable on short notice and combat ready. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Marines with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, open fire on an enemy encampment during a night assault here, July 26. The assault was in support of Talisman Saber 2013, a biennial training activity between the U.S. and Australian forces that provides effective and intense training to ensure the combined forces are capable, interoperable, deployable on short notice and combat ready. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Sergeant Wesly T. Weber (left), military information support operations assistant team leader and a native of Rochester, N.Y., and Sgt. Miguel A. Lopez-Guillen (right), a military information support operations team leader and a native Santa Ana, Calif., both with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, speak with key leaders of a notional village as a part of Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 22. The engagement was one of many scenarios involved in Talisman Saber 13 that aim to provide the realistic and relevant training necessary to maintain regional security, peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region. The exercise also improves the Australian Defense Force and U.S. military’s ability to operate as a combined task force. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU. - Sergeant Wesly T. Weber (left), military information support operations assistant team leader and a native of Rochester, N.Y., and Sgt. Miguel A. Lopez-Guillen (right), a military information support operations team leader and a native Santa Ana, Calif., both with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, speak with key leaders of a notional village as a part of Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 22. The engagement was one of many scenarios involved in Talisman Saber 13 that aim to provide the realistic and relevant training necessary to maintain regional security, peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region. The exercise also improves the Australian Defense Force and U.S. military’s ability to operate as a combined task force. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU.