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February 14, 2011, U.S. Marines with the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) detachment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), observe two Royal Thai Navy Sailors conduct a mock chemical contamination drill in Samesan, Kingdom of Thailand, for 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 14, 2011, U.S. Marines with the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) detachment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), observe two Royal Thai Navy Sailors conduct a mock chemical contamination drill in Samesan, Kingdom of Thailand, for 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.

An AH-1W Super Cobra pilot assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter 262 (Reinforced), the "Flying Tigers," part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, performs a pre-flight check of his aircraft prior to take off from Clark Air Base in the Republic of the Philippines. HMM-262 (REIN) and the 31st MEU are in the Philippines conducting bilateral training exercises designed to enhance the skills of pilots from both nations. The interoperability training increases the partner nations' abilities to respond together to real-world contingencies. - An AH-1W Super Cobra pilot assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter 262 (Reinforced), the "Flying Tigers," part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, performs a pre-flight check of his aircraft prior to take off from Clark Air Base in the Republic of the Philippines. HMM-262 (REIN) and the 31st MEU are in the Philippines conducting bilateral training exercises designed to enhance the skills of pilots from both nations. The interoperability training increases the partner nations' abilities to respond together to real-world contingencies.

Brig. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, commading general, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, makes remarks at the opening ceremonies of Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011. The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting PHIBLEX in order to increase cooperation between the two nations and to build interoperability in order to be ready for any real-world contingencies. - Brig. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, commading general, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, makes remarks at the opening ceremonies of Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011. The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are conducting PHIBLEX in order to increase cooperation between the two nations and to build interoperability in order to be ready for any real-world contingencies.

1st Lt. Ramon Deleon, Amphibious Assault Vehicle platoon commander, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, directs his AAV toward the mission objective. The 31st MEU conducted a bilateral mechanized amphibious landing in partnership with the Philippine Marine Corps, allowing both Marine forces to gain shared experiences. The bilateral training advances security cooperation between the two nations and prepares the forces for potential real-world scenarios. The 31st MEU remains always ready to respond to crises, and always faithful to assist where needed. - 1st Lt. Ramon Deleon, Amphibious Assault Vehicle platoon commander, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, directs his AAV toward the mission objective. The 31st MEU conducted a bilateral mechanized amphibious landing in partnership with the Philippine Marine Corps, allowing both Marine forces to gain shared experiences. The bilateral training advances security cooperation between the two nations and prepares the forces for potential real-world scenarios. The 31st MEU remains always ready to respond to crises, and always faithful to assist where needed.

Lt. Col. William Arick, commanding officer for Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Sgt. Maj. Anthony Goss, sergeant major for CLB 31, 31st MEU carry boxes of supplies off of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter during a simulated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation, 29 Sept. - Lt. Col. William Arick, commanding officer for Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Sgt. Maj. Anthony Goss, sergeant major for CLB 31, 31st MEU carry boxes of supplies off of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter during a simulated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation, 29 Sept.

Cpl. Joe Sharp, Civil Affairs Team Leader, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, cuts the hair of Sean Hernandez, a patient at Guam Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit, Sept 21. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU visited 30 patients at the GHM Skilled Nursing Unit to build relationships and to make a difference in the patients' lives for a day. The 31st MEU is operating on and around Guam, the westernmost territory of the U.S., conducting a Certification Exercise. - Cpl. Joe Sharp, Civil Affairs Team Leader, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, cuts the hair of Sean Hernandez, a patient at Guam Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Unit, Sept 21. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU visited 30 patients at the GHM Skilled Nursing Unit to build relationships and to make a difference in the patients' lives for a day. The 31st MEU is operating on and around Guam, the westernmost territory of the U.S., conducting a Certification Exercise.

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.

Amphibious Assault Vehicles with AAV platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1/7, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, manuver toward the USS Denver off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 7. - Amphibious Assault Vehicles with AAV platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1/7, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, manuver toward the USS Denver off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 7.

Lance Cpl. Oscar E. Deleonpalencia, a rifleman with Company B, BLT 1/7, grabs the third-floor ledge to pull himself up during the last day of a five-day Assault Climbers Refresher course Aug. 20. - Lance Cpl. Oscar E. Deleonpalencia, a rifleman with Company B, BLT 1/7, grabs the third-floor ledge to pull himself up during the last day of a five-day Assault Climbers Refresher course Aug. 20.

Marines and sailors from Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (BLT 2/7), exit a plane upon arrival on Okinawa, Jan. 8. The Marines and sailors of BLT 2/7 will serve as the ground combat element (GCE) of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) during its upcoming Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. According to Lt. Col. John Reed, the battalion's Commanding Officer, this is the first time since the Korean War the battalion has served as an amphibious assault force and the first time in the battalion's history it has served as a BLT. - Marines and sailors from Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (BLT 2/7), exit a plane upon arrival on Okinawa, Jan. 8. The Marines and sailors of BLT 2/7 will serve as the ground combat element (GCE) of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) during its upcoming Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. According to Lt. Col. John Reed, the battalion's Commanding Officer, this is the first time since the Korean War the battalion has served as an amphibious assault force and the first time in the battalion's history it has served as a BLT.