CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, visited Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Sept. 20.
During his visit, Glueck spoke with the Marines of Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, as well as Combat Logistics Battalion 31, both with the 31st MEU.
Glueck stressed the importance of the 31st MEU, and thanked all of the Marines for their hard work during a speech given in the Camp Hansen House of Pain fitness center.
The 31st MEU is trained to be able to react as directed to a scenario within six hours of it happening. That means that within six hours, there will be helicopters in the air, ships setting sail, and equipment moving, said Glueck.
“No one else has that capability,” said Glueck. “The MEU has that capability because you Marines are trained to do that. Whether it’s a clear day, or an overcast night with zero illumination, you can complete that mission.”
Glueck went on to talk about many of the capabilities of the MEU, highlighting the work done on Oshima Island during operation Tomodachi.
“Oshima Island was completely devastated by the tsunami and the earthquake,” said Glueck. “They had no water, no heat, and no food. It was the Marines of the 31st MEU that helped the people of Oshima, and they’re not going to forget that.”
As his speech came to a conclusion, Glueck then took time to answer questions the Marines had to ask. As the questions ended, he then encouraged the Marines to give everything they have during the 31st MEU’s upcoming deployment.
The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.