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Lance Cpl. Victoria Bonaldo, 21, of Philadelphia, Pa., a supply clerk with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, spends time helping disabled Thai students practice English during a community relations event, Feb. 24. Marines and Sailors assisted children at the Father Ray Foundation Redemptive Vocational School for People with Disabilities during a port visit after the 31st MEU’s successful conclusion of Cobra Gold 2011. The 31st MEU is the nation’s only continually forward deployed MEU, and remains a force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Lance Cpl. Victoria Bonaldo, 21, of Philadelphia, Pa., a supply clerk with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, spends time helping disabled Thai students practice English during a community relations event, Feb. 24. Marines and Sailors assisted children at the Father Ray Foundation Redemptive Vocational School for People with Disabilities during a port visit after the 31st MEU’s successful conclusion of Cobra Gold 2011. The 31st MEU is the nation’s only continually forward deployed MEU, and remains a force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

February 16, 2011, U.S. Marines with the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, provide security as a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter lands during a mock raid conducted with Royal Thai Marines in Hat Yao, Kingdom of Thailand, in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2011. For three decades, Thailand has hosted Cobra Gold, one of the largest land-based, joint, combined military training exercises in the world. A successful Cobra Gold 2011 results in increased operational readiness of U.S. and Thai forces and matured military to military relations between the two countries. - February 16, 2011, U.S. Marines with the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, provide security as a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter lands during a mock raid conducted with Royal Thai Marines in Hat Yao, Kingdom of Thailand, in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2011. For three decades, Thailand has hosted Cobra Gold, one of the largest land-based, joint, combined military training exercises in the world. A successful Cobra Gold 2011 results in increased operational readiness of U.S. and Thai forces and matured military to military relations between the two countries.

Marines of 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, arrive from Camp Pendleton, Calif. for deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the new Battalion Landing Team, Jan. 10. The battalion has now become the ground combat element of the 31st MEU, and is scheduled to embark aboard ships of Amphibious Squadron 11 for support of Theater Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines of 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, arrive from Camp Pendleton, Calif. for deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the new Battalion Landing Team, Jan. 10. The battalion has now become the ground combat element of the 31st MEU, and is scheduled to embark aboard ships of Amphibious Squadron 11 for support of Theater Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, share Japanese tea with Military Police of the 43rd Infantry Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, aboard the Kirishima Training Area, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan during a meet and greet session prior to the beginning of the bilateral exercise Forest Light, Dec. 6. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU are currently conducting the annual Forest Light exercise, which is vital to maintaining combat readiness, interoperability and good-will between the armed forces of the U.S. and Japan. - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, share Japanese tea with Military Police of the 43rd Infantry Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, aboard the Kirishima Training Area, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan during a meet and greet session prior to the beginning of the bilateral exercise Forest Light, Dec. 6. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU are currently conducting the annual Forest Light exercise, which is vital to maintaining combat readiness, interoperability and good-will between the armed forces of the U.S. and Japan.

Throughout America’s history, Hispanics have distinguished themselves in their service to the nation and the Marine Corps, some giving their lives in the defense of the freedoms all Americans enjoy. One such Marine is Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who made the ultimate sacrifice Nov. 15, 2004, while his unit was attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Iraq. In 2008, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions. Prior to receiving the nation’s second highest award for valor, Peralta received several other honors, including the honorary title of San Diego police officer April 24, 2006, and the dedication of the 31st MEU’s Command Post building on Camp Hansen in his name Sept. 21, 2007. - Throughout America’s history, Hispanics have distinguished themselves in their service to the nation and the Marine Corps, some giving their lives in the defense of the freedoms all Americans enjoy. One such Marine is Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who made the ultimate sacrifice Nov. 15, 2004, while his unit was attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Iraq. In 2008, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions. Prior to receiving the nation’s second highest award for valor, Peralta received several other honors, including the honorary title of San Diego police officer April 24, 2006, and the dedication of the 31st MEU’s Command Post building on Camp Hansen in his name Sept. 21, 2007.

Marines deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit attack the beach at Incheon during the 60th anniversary of the landing in the Republic of Korea, September 15. The ceremony was dedicated to the veterans of the conflict and honored the long standing alliance between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea. - Marines deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit attack the beach at Incheon during the 60th anniversary of the landing in the Republic of Korea, September 15. The ceremony was dedicated to the veterans of the conflict and honored the long standing alliance between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea.