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U.S. and Australian investigative agencies search for evidence of a mock mass grave during a stability and support operation, July 21. The SASO operations are part of a scenario based operation that took place during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. 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. and Australian investigative agencies search for evidence of a mock mass grave during a stability and support operation, July 21. The SASO operations are part of a scenario based operation that took place during exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Amphibious assault vehicles carrying Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, charge toward Freshwater Beach while deploying a smoke screen during an amphibious assault in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crises and provide humanitarian assistance. This exercise will increase interoperability, flexibility, and readiness, all of which are force multipliers in maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific. - Amphibious assault vehicles carrying Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, charge toward Freshwater Beach while deploying a smoke screen during an amphibious assault in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries’ bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crises and provide humanitarian assistance. This exercise will increase interoperability, flexibility, and readiness, all of which are force multipliers in maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Joseph Ross (right) of Albion, Pa., and Lance Cpl. Christopher Jones, of Chicago, Ill., both military policemen with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, follow Australian Army military policemen Cpl. Timothy Newely (left) and Cpl. Sam Preston-Stanley through the downtown area in Rockhampton, Australia, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. Australian Defence Forces and U.S. Marine military police officers of Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are cross training in order to learn from each other and improve their law enforcement skills. TS11 is a biennial training event aimed at improving and validating the Australian Defence Force and the United States combat readiness and interoperability as a joint task force. - U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Joseph Ross (right) of Albion, Pa., and Lance Cpl. Christopher Jones, of Chicago, Ill., both military policemen with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, follow Australian Army military policemen Cpl. Timothy Newely (left) and Cpl. Sam Preston-Stanley through the downtown area in Rockhampton, Australia, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. Australian Defence Forces and U.S. Marine military police officers of Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are cross training in order to learn from each other and improve their law enforcement skills. TS11 is a biennial training event aimed at improving and validating the Australian Defence Force and the United States combat readiness and interoperability as a joint task force.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Stephan A. Fournier (left) and Craig J. Reyes (right), both mortarmen with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a weapons drill with a 60 mm mortar as an Australian Blackhawk helicopter takes off behind them on Camp Rocky during Talisman Saber 2011. TS11 is a biennial combined training activity, designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting Combined Task Force operations to improve Australian Defense Force/U.S. combat readiness and interoperability. It reflects the closeness of the alliance and the strength and flexibility of the ongoing military-military relationship. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Stephan A. Fournier (left) and Craig J. Reyes (right), both mortarmen with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a weapons drill with a 60 mm mortar as an Australian Blackhawk helicopter takes off behind them on Camp Rocky during Talisman Saber 2011. TS11 is a biennial combined training activity, designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting Combined Task Force operations to improve Australian Defense Force/U.S. combat readiness and interoperability. It reflects the closeness of the alliance and the strength and flexibility of the ongoing military-military relationship.

Pfc. Lawrence J. Simpson, a combat engineer with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, pressure-washes the undercarriage of a Humvee, June 1. Simpson was pressure-washing in preparation for Australian Quarantine Inspections, a mandatory inspection of all vehicles and equipment that must be passed before they can enter Australia in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre. - Pfc. Lawrence J. Simpson, a combat engineer with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, pressure-washes the undercarriage of a Humvee, June 1. Simpson was pressure-washing in preparation for Australian Quarantine Inspections, a mandatory inspection of all vehicles and equipment that must be passed before they can enter Australia in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre.

Marines and Sailors of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, arrive here from California for deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the new Battalion Landing Team, June 3. The battalion has now become the ground combat element of the 31st MEU, and is scheduled to embark aboard ships of Amphibious Squadron 11 on a deployment in support of Theater Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the nation’s only continually forward-deployed MEU. - Marines and Sailors of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, arrive here from California for deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the new Battalion Landing Team, June 3. The battalion has now become the ground combat element of the 31st MEU, and is scheduled to embark aboard ships of Amphibious Squadron 11 on a deployment in support of Theater Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the nation’s only continually forward-deployed MEU.

Takeaki Matsumoto, Japan Foreign Minister, recognizes Col. Andrew R. MacMannis, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, May 28, for the MEU’s work during Operation Tomodachi. The MEU delivered more than 164,000 pounds of supplies and 7,400 gallons of water to devastated areas of North-East Japan over a period of about three weeks. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Takeaki Matsumoto, Japan Foreign Minister, recognizes Col. Andrew R. MacMannis, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, May 28, for the MEU’s work during Operation Tomodachi. The MEU delivered more than 164,000 pounds of supplies and 7,400 gallons of water to devastated areas of North-East Japan over a period of about three weeks. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sgt. Rafael Peralta, a platoon guide with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 31st MEU, who selflessly gave his life to save those he was serving with, was awarded the Navy Cross, the country’s second highest award. Peralta was killed during Operation Phantom Fury in 2004, when after being mortally wounded, smothered a grenade thrown at him and his Marines with his body. The 31st MEU is America’s only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation’s force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. The MEU honors the meaning of Memorial Day through its commitment to being always ready and remembering the sacrifice of those who have given all. - Sgt. Rafael Peralta, a platoon guide with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 31st MEU, who selflessly gave his life to save those he was serving with, was awarded the Navy Cross, the country’s second highest award. Peralta was killed during Operation Phantom Fury in 2004, when after being mortally wounded, smothered a grenade thrown at him and his Marines with his body. The 31st MEU is America’s only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation’s force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. The MEU honors the meaning of Memorial Day through its commitment to being always ready and remembering the sacrifice of those who have given all.

Marines fire their M4A1 carbines during marksmanship training May 10 as a part of the Dynamic Assault Course at Camp Hansen’s Range 16. The Marines are from Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Force Company, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and need the certification provided by the course to operate as a force reconnaissance platoon. ::r::::n:: - Marines fire their M4A1 carbines during marksmanship training May 10 as a part of the Dynamic Assault Course at Camp Hansen’s Range 16. The Marines are from Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Force Company, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and need the certification provided by the course to operate as a force reconnaissance platoon. ::r::::n::