WHITE BEACH, OKINAWA, Japan -- Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group from White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, to begin their annual fall patrol Aug. 21, 2016. The regularly-scheduled patrol is designed to increase regional security, maintain unit readiness, and support U.S. Pacific Command theater security cooperation initiatives.
The fall patrol is the culmination of the combined effort of Amphibious Squadron 11 and the 31st MEU, embarked on the three ships of BHR ESG. The ESG consists of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), the USS Green Bay (LPD-20), and the USS Germantown (LSD-48). Each ship’s unique capabilities meet the needs of each of the major subordinate elements of the 31st MEU: the command element, the ground combat element, the aviation combat and the logistics combat element.
As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is prepared to respond to a wide range of military operations, from humanitarian assistance missions to limited combat operations, at a moment’s notice. As a balanced air-ground-logistics team, the 31st MEU is ready to respond throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
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