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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.

Landing support specialists attach a load of tires to a UH-1Y Huey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a helicopter support team exercise Feb. 6 on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard. The Marines used a MK-105 cable, also known as the Q-tip, to hook the load onto the bottom of the Huey. The Marines are with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, and are currently deployed in support of the annually-scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. - Landing support specialists attach a load of tires to a UH-1Y Huey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a helicopter support team exercise Feb. 6 on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard. The Marines used a MK-105 cable, also known as the Q-tip, to hook the load onto the bottom of the Huey. The Marines are with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, and are currently deployed in support of the annually-scheduled Spring Patrol of 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.

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.

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.