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U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z attack helicopter pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire an AGM-179 joint air-to-ground munition (JAGM) during an expeditionary (EXPO) strike, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, June 26, 2024. This EXPO strike launched the first JAGM off an AH-1Z in the Indo-Pacific region. The JAGM provides a true “fire and forget” capability to guide the missile to endgame, able to destroy fast-moving maritime targets like fast attack craft (FAC) in rough sea states. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Lape) - U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z attack helicopter pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire an AGM-179 joint air-to-ground munition (JAGM) during an expeditionary (EXPO) strike, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, June 26, 2024. This EXPO strike launched the first JAGM off an AH-1Z in the Indo-Pacific region. The JAGM provides a true “fire and forget” capability to guide the missile to endgame, able to destroy fast-moving maritime targets like fast attack craft (FAC) in rough sea states. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher Lape)

Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force scout swimmers emerge out of the water and sight in on their rifles during the Japanese Observer Exchange Program April 28, 2015 at Kin Blue. JOEP is a III Marine Expeditionary Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and JGSDF coordinated program designed to increase regional security, maintain unit readiness and enhance overall cooperation. This is the fourth iteration of JOEP for the 31st MEU after the initial partnership in September 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released) - Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force scout swimmers emerge out of the water and sight in on their rifles during the Japanese Observer Exchange Program April 28, 2015 at Kin Blue. JOEP is a III Marine Expeditionary Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and JGSDF coordinated program designed to increase regional security, maintain unit readiness and enhance overall cooperation. This is the fourth iteration of JOEP for the 31st MEU after the initial partnership in September 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Sean M. Stephenson poses for a photo in front of his AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) March 17, 2015. Stephenson started out his career as an enlisted band member and then persued his dream of becoming a pilot. Stehenson is a Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 231, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Sean M. Stephenson poses for a photo in front of his AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) March 17, 2015. Stephenson started out his career as an enlisted band member and then persued his dream of becoming a pilot. Stehenson is a Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 231, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Colonel Andrew R. MacMannis, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, discusses MEU capabilities with a member of the Japanese Self Defense Forces during a meeting in the 31st MEU headquarters, May 14. The JSDF requested a meeting with the MEU, to gain a better familiarity with the unit's expeditionary and amphibious capabilities. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward deployed MEU, and the United States' force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region. - Colonel Andrew R. MacMannis, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, discusses MEU capabilities with a member of the Japanese Self Defense Forces during a meeting in the 31st MEU headquarters, May 14. The JSDF requested a meeting with the MEU, to gain a better familiarity with the unit's expeditionary and amphibious capabilities. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward deployed MEU, and the United States' force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region.

Marines with Company C., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, disembark the USS Denver (LPD-9) here following the month-long bilateral training Exercise Balikatan in the Philippines, May 3. Balikatan, (shoulder-to-shoulder in English) is the last training evolution 1/4 will take part in before detaching from the 31st MEU and returning to their home garrison on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with Company C., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, disembark the USS Denver (LPD-9) here following the month-long bilateral training Exercise Balikatan in the Philippines, May 3. Balikatan, (shoulder-to-shoulder in English) is the last training evolution 1/4 will take part in before detaching from the 31st MEU and returning to their home garrison on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Staff Sgt. John Rudd, an explosive ordinance disposal technician with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (center right) stands with his wife and Lt Col. William Arick, commanding officer of CLB-31 (left) and Capt. Donald Pilcher, company commander of EOD Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, after receiving the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device here, Apr. 30 for his actions in Afghanistan in 2011 during Operation Enduring Freedom. Rudd earned the medal for both disarming an improvised explosive device under fire and saving a local child's life. - Staff Sgt. John Rudd, an explosive ordinance disposal technician with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (center right) stands with his wife and Lt Col. William Arick, commanding officer of CLB-31 (left) and Capt. Donald Pilcher, company commander of EOD Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, after receiving the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device here, Apr. 30 for his actions in Afghanistan in 2011 during Operation Enduring Freedom. Rudd earned the medal for both disarming an improvised explosive device under fire and saving a local child's life.

Lieutenant Col. Damien "Faulkner" Marsh, commanding officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (REIN), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, applies a temporary Dragon tattoo to a fan during a static display of CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters at the Atsugi Air Show, Atsugi Naval Air Facility, Japan, on April 28. The Marines' participation in the event comes one year after their assistance to Japanese tsunami victims during Operation Tomodachi. The 31st MEU is the United States' expeditionary force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region. - Lieutenant Col. Damien "Faulkner" Marsh, commanding officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (REIN), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, applies a temporary Dragon tattoo to a fan during a static display of CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters at the Atsugi Air Show, Atsugi Naval Air Facility, Japan, on April 28. The Marines' participation in the event comes one year after their assistance to Japanese tsunami victims during Operation Tomodachi. The 31st MEU is the United States' expeditionary force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region.

A Marine with 1st Platoon, Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, crawls through a watery ditch and under concertina wire during the Jungle Endurance Course here, April 20. After completing a two-week training evolution at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, the Marines underwent the four-mile-long course through the Okinawan jungle, utilizing the rappelling, rope-crossing, improvised stretcher carry and other skills they learned. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A Marine with 1st Platoon, Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, crawls through a watery ditch and under concertina wire during the Jungle Endurance Course here, April 20. After completing a two-week training evolution at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, the Marines underwent the four-mile-long course through the Okinawan jungle, utilizing the rappelling, rope-crossing, improvised stretcher carry and other skills they learned. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

A U.S. Marine with Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, role plays an enemy defender here, Feb. 16. U.S. Marines and their Royal Thai counterparts participated in military operations in urban terrain exercise where Thais integrated into the U.S. squads and trained in assaulting and defending a position. The training is part of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, a multi-lateral training event where participating nations train to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A U.S. Marine with Company B., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, role plays an enemy defender here, Feb. 16. U.S. Marines and their Royal Thai counterparts participated in military operations in urban terrain exercise where Thais integrated into the U.S. squads and trained in assaulting and defending a position. The training is part of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, a multi-lateral training event where participating nations train to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines with the Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon, a part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, shoot M40A3 and M40A5 rifles alongside the Royal Thai Marine Corps and the Republic of Korea Navy SEALs during scout sniper training at Recon Camp, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 16. The training was part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, an annual multinational exercise co-hosted by Thailand and the U.S., which is designed to advance security throughout the Asia-Pacific region and enhance interoperability with participating nations. The 31st MEU is the U.S. expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with the Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon, a part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, shoot M40A3 and M40A5 rifles alongside the Royal Thai Marine Corps and the Republic of Korea Navy SEALs during scout sniper training at Recon Camp, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 16. The training was part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, an annual multinational exercise co-hosted by Thailand and the U.S., which is designed to advance security throughout the Asia-Pacific region and enhance interoperability with participating nations. The 31st MEU is the U.S. expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.