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Sergeant Guadalupe Menera, a data network specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Escondido, Calif., plays atop a jungle gym alongside American and Japanese children during a visit here, April 20. Twenty-one service members and some family members donated part of their Saturday to play with local orphans, and provide an American-style barbecue of cheeseburgers and hot dogs. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are dedicated to matching their excellence in expeditionary capabilities with excellence as members of the Okinawan community. - Sergeant Guadalupe Menera, a data network specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Escondido, Calif., plays atop a jungle gym alongside American and Japanese children during a visit here, April 20. Twenty-one service members and some family members donated part of their Saturday to play with local orphans, and provide an American-style barbecue of cheeseburgers and hot dogs. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are dedicated to matching their excellence in expeditionary capabilities with excellence as members of the Okinawan community.

A Philippine reconnaissance Marine demonstrates how to cook a duck during a jungle survival course for U.S. Marines and sailors from Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as a part of exercise Balikatan 2013 here, April 12. Balikatan is a Filipino term that means “shoulder-to-shoulder” and characterizes the spirit of the exercise, focusing on Philippine-U.S. partnership and shared commitment to the mutual defense treaty. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A Philippine reconnaissance Marine demonstrates how to cook a duck during a jungle survival course for U.S. Marines and sailors from Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as a part of exercise Balikatan 2013 here, April 12. Balikatan is a Filipino term that means “shoulder-to-shoulder” and characterizes the spirit of the exercise, focusing on Philippine-U.S. partnership and shared commitment to the mutual defense treaty. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines with the Philippine Marine Corps practice knife techniques alongside U.S. Marines and Sailors with Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as a part of exercise Balikatan 2013 in Ternate, Philippines, April 10. As treaty allies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military have a longstanding relationship that has contributed to regional security and stability. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with the Philippine Marine Corps practice knife techniques alongside U.S. Marines and Sailors with Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as a part of exercise Balikatan 2013 in Ternate, Philippines, April 10. As treaty allies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military have a longstanding relationship that has contributed to regional security and stability. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines look on as Philippine Marines fire their M-14 rifles at targets during a combat marksmanship program shoot as part of exercise Balikatan 2013 here, April 8. Marines and Sailors from Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Philippine Marines fired side by side, improving their interoperability with one another. Balikatan 2013 helps maintain a high level of interoperability and enhances military-to-military relations and combined combat capabilities. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines look on as Philippine Marines fire their M-14 rifles at targets during a combat marksmanship program shoot as part of exercise Balikatan 2013 here, April 8. Marines and Sailors from Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Philippine Marines fired side by side, improving their interoperability with one another. Balikatan 2013 helps maintain a high level of interoperability and enhances military-to-military relations and combined combat capabilities. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines and Sailors with Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Marines from the Philippine Marine Corps salute the flag while the U.S. and Philippine national anthems play during the opening ceremony of exercise Balikatan 2013 here, April 7. Now in its 29th iteration, this exercise gives U.S Marines the opportunity to train alongside their Philippine counterparts and become more familiar with the Pacific jungle environment. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines and Sailors with Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Marines from the Philippine Marine Corps salute the flag while the U.S. and Philippine national anthems play during the opening ceremony of exercise Balikatan 2013 here, April 7. Now in its 29th iteration, this exercise gives U.S Marines the opportunity to train alongside their Philippine counterparts and become more familiar with the Pacific jungle environment. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines and Sailors from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit carry their gear off of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) after returning from the annual Spring Patrol here, March 21. During the deployment, the Marines and Sailors participated in exercise Cobra Gold 2013 to improve interoperability with allied nations and increase regional security within the Asia-Pacific region. The unit also conducted its semiannual Certification Exercise, an event designed to ensure the 31st MEU maintains proficiency in its full spectrum of capabilities for real-world operations. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines and Sailors from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit carry their gear off of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) after returning from the annual Spring Patrol here, March 21. During the deployment, the Marines and Sailors participated in exercise Cobra Gold 2013 to improve interoperability with allied nations and increase regional security within the Asia-Pacific region. The unit also conducted its semiannual Certification Exercise, an event designed to ensure the 31st MEU maintains proficiency in its full spectrum of capabilities for real-world operations. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense specialists with the Marine Air Ground Task Force Assessment and Consequence Management Team of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit drag a simulated chemical casualty to a decontamination line for treatment here, March 14. The CBRN operation was in response to the confirmed presence of a chemical weapon-making facility during a notional humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation. The MAGTF ACMT evacuated casualties, inspected the premises and removed all chemical materials found. The 31st MEU’s CERTEX is a semiannual exercise where Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, evaluates the unit’s full range of capabilities, with the purpose of maintaining the MEU’s proficiency and readiness. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense specialists with the Marine Air Ground Task Force Assessment and Consequence Management Team of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit drag a simulated chemical casualty to a decontamination line for treatment here, March 14. The CBRN operation was in response to the confirmed presence of a chemical weapon-making facility during a notional humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation. The MAGTF ACMT evacuated casualties, inspected the premises and removed all chemical materials found. The 31st MEU’s CERTEX is a semiannual exercise where Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, evaluates the unit’s full range of capabilities, with the purpose of maintaining the MEU’s proficiency and readiness. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines with Company C., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, patrol toward an airfield during a helicopter assault here, March 13. The 31st MEU’s “Helo Company” conducted the attack at an airfield with a small collection of structures defended by more than a dozen role players. The scenario was part of the 31st MEU’s Certification Exercise, prepared and evaluated by Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with Company C., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, patrol toward an airfield during a helicopter assault here, March 13. The 31st MEU’s “Helo Company” conducted the attack at an airfield with a small collection of structures defended by more than a dozen role players. The scenario was part of the 31st MEU’s Certification Exercise, prepared and evaluated by Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines with Fox Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, acting as the quick reaction force of the 31st MEU’s Forward Command Element, attempt to push through the gate of the notional U.S. Embassy to quell hostile protesters here, March 11. The FCE is the 31st MEU’s on-site survey and planning cell when responding to a request for humanitarian assistance or disaster relief aid in a foreign country. The 31st MEU is currently conducting its semiannual Certification Exercise, where the unit’s full range of capabilities are evaluated by the Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, with the purpose of maintaining the MEU’s proficiency. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with Fox Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, acting as the quick reaction force of the 31st MEU’s Forward Command Element, attempt to push through the gate of the notional U.S. Embassy to quell hostile protesters here, March 11. The FCE is the 31st MEU’s on-site survey and planning cell when responding to a request for humanitarian assistance or disaster relief aid in a foreign country. The 31st MEU is currently conducting its semiannual Certification Exercise, where the unit’s full range of capabilities are evaluated by the Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, with the purpose of maintaining the MEU’s proficiency. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Lance Cpl. Ben P. Moore, a field radio operator with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Lufkin, Texas, gives a Marine a scoop of refried beans during an afternoon meal here, Feb. 5. More than 2,000 Marines and Sailors on the USS BHR line up outside the mess areas to receive their daily rations of hot food. The mess crew cooks 42,000 servigs worth of food for five dishes to complete the four meals served each day. The crew also prepares desserts, assortments of fruit, and cold and hot drinks. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marines Corps' force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Lance Cpl. Ben P. Moore, a field radio operator with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Lufkin, Texas, gives a Marine a scoop of refried beans during an afternoon meal here, Feb. 5. More than 2,000 Marines and Sailors on the USS BHR line up outside the mess areas to receive their daily rations of hot food. The mess crew cooks 42,000 servigs worth of food for five dishes to complete the four meals served each day. The crew also prepares desserts, assortments of fruit, and cold and hot drinks. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marines Corps' force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.