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A Royal Thai Marine passes the ball as a U.S. Marine with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, attempts to stop him during a friendly soccer game here, Feb. 16. U.S. Marines were playing against Royal Thai Marines in a friendly, but intense game of soccer after completing their training during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A Royal Thai Marine passes the ball as a U.S. Marine with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, attempts to stop him during a friendly soccer game here, Feb. 16. U.S. Marines were playing against Royal Thai Marines in a friendly, but intense game of soccer after completing their training during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines with Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide suppressing fire on targets with an M240B machine gun during a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise here, Feb. 15. CALFEX was conducted during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012 and included units from the 31st MEU, U.S. Army, Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Marine Corps. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide suppressing fire on targets with an M240B machine gun during a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise here, Feb. 15. CALFEX was conducted during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012 and included units from the 31st MEU, U.S. Army, Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Marine Corps. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

A Royal Thai Marine, simulating a chemical attack victim, lies still while Thai Reconnaissance Marines cordon off the area during a chemical, biological, radiological, chemical exercise here, Feb. 14. The training was conducted by Thai forces and Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, jointly executing casualty decontamination in a bilateral environment. The training is part of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, now in its 31st iteration. The exercise is a multi-lateral event focused on strengthening the interoperability of all participating military forces. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A Royal Thai Marine, simulating a chemical attack victim, lies still while Thai Reconnaissance Marines cordon off the area during a chemical, biological, radiological, chemical exercise here, Feb. 14. The training was conducted by Thai forces and Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, jointly executing casualty decontamination in a bilateral environment. The training is part of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, now in its 31st iteration. The exercise is a multi-lateral event focused on strengthening the interoperability of all participating military forces. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sub-Lt. Pranom Yodrug, a Royal Thai reconnaissance Marine, slices a vegetable while teaching the Marines about edible vegetation as part of a jungle survival class held here, Feb. 13. The survival instruction, taught by members of the Royal Thai Marine Reconnaissance, educated U.S. and Republic of Korean Marines on finding sustenance and tools in the jungle environment. The class is part of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, now in its 31st iteration. The exercise is a multi-lateral event focused on strengthening the interoperability of all participating military forces. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Sub-Lt. Pranom Yodrug, a Royal Thai reconnaissance Marine, slices a vegetable while teaching the Marines about edible vegetation as part of a jungle survival class held here, Feb. 13. The survival instruction, taught by members of the Royal Thai Marine Reconnaissance, educated U.S. and Republic of Korean Marines on finding sustenance and tools in the jungle environment. The class is part of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, now in its 31st iteration. The exercise is a multi-lateral event focused on strengthening the interoperability of all participating military forces. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Williams, a Marine Attack Squadron 311 avionics technician, cleans parts in a AV-8 Harrier wing here Feb. 8. Six AV-8B Harriers, along with approximately 150 VMA-311 Marines, flew into the Western Pacific as part of the::r::::n::Unit Deployment Program to further the squadron’s training and maintain a high level of mission readiness. - Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Williams, a Marine Attack Squadron 311 avionics technician, cleans parts in a AV-8 Harrier wing here Feb. 8. Six AV-8B Harriers, along with approximately 150 VMA-311 Marines, flew into the Western Pacific as part of the::r::::n::Unit Deployment Program to further the squadron’s training and maintain a high level of mission readiness.

Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit unload their gear and equipment off of a Navy landing craft here, Feb. 8. The Marines aboard the landing craft were some of the first elements of the 31st MEU to arrive in Thailand for Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward deployed MEU and remains the nations’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit unload their gear and equipment off of a Navy landing craft here, Feb. 8. The Marines aboard the landing craft were some of the first elements of the 31st MEU to arrive in Thailand for Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward deployed MEU and remains the nations’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Capt. Andrew Reaves, the fires officer for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, enjoys some Pad Thai with his Republic of Korea Marine counterparts during an icebreaker event, Feb. 8. The event was conducted as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2012 to introduce multinational service members to Thailand. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Capt. Andrew Reaves, the fires officer for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, enjoys some Pad Thai with his Republic of Korea Marine counterparts during an icebreaker event, Feb. 8. The event was conducted as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2012 to introduce multinational service members to Thailand. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Rep. Itsunori Onodera of Miyagi Prefecture, senior vice minister of foreign affairs (left), shakes hands with Col. Andrew R. MacMannis, commanding officer, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and thanked him for the relief efforts by the 31st MEU during a visit of III Marine Expeditionary Force leadership here Jan. 12. The visit was conducted to review community recovery progress since Operation Tomodachi and to discuss potential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities to better prepare for future support requirements. During the visit, members of the 31st MEU were able to revisit the areas where they helped in recovery efforts ten months earlier. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward deployed MEU, and remains America’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Rep. Itsunori Onodera of Miyagi Prefecture, senior vice minister of foreign affairs (left), shakes hands with Col. Andrew R. MacMannis, commanding officer, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and thanked him for the relief efforts by the 31st MEU during a visit of III Marine Expeditionary Force leadership here Jan. 12. The visit was conducted to review community recovery progress since Operation Tomodachi and to discuss potential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities to better prepare for future support requirements. During the visit, members of the 31st MEU were able to revisit the areas where they helped in recovery efforts ten months earlier. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward deployed MEU, and remains America’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

The U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit presents the colors to the Commanding Officer and the Guest of Honor during the Marine Corps' 236th birthday at the Butler Officers Club, Plaza Housing, Okinawa, Japan on December 1, 2011. The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is an annual tradition celebrated throughout the entire Marine Corps. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States' force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - The U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit presents the colors to the Commanding Officer and the Guest of Honor during the Marine Corps' 236th birthday at the Butler Officers Club, Plaza Housing, Okinawa, Japan on December 1, 2011. The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is an annual tradition celebrated throughout the entire Marine Corps. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States' force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines and Sailors of Combat Logistics Battalion 31 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), both with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, explore the historical site of a 1942 12-inch coastal defense gun during a tour here Nov. 4, 2011. The gun was used by American and Filippino service members defending Corregidor in 1942. Service members of the 31st MEU toured Corregidor after the completion of the Amphibious Landing Exercise, designed to enhance interoperability between the military forces, continuing the allied relationship that has existed for more than half a century. - Marines and Sailors of Combat Logistics Battalion 31 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), both with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, explore the historical site of a 1942 12-inch coastal defense gun during a tour here Nov. 4, 2011. The gun was used by American and Filippino service members defending Corregidor in 1942. Service members of the 31st MEU toured Corregidor after the completion of the Amphibious Landing Exercise, designed to enhance interoperability between the military forces, continuing the allied relationship that has existed for more than half a century.