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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.

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.

Philippine Marines and U.S. Marines from Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently in support of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, carry a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft during a boat raid here Oct. 27. The boat raid was conducted as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2012, a bilateral training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. The bilateral training is designed to build interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Brianna Turner/Released) - Philippine Marines and U.S. Marines from Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently in support of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, carry a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft during a boat raid here Oct. 27. The boat raid was conducted as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2012, a bilateral training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. The bilateral training is designed to build interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Brianna Turner/Released)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Raul Elikhi, a cannoneer assigned to Kilo Battery, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary provides security during Humanitarian Aid, Disaster Relief training mission on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct 9, 2011. The Marines are conducting the training as part of the MEU's Certification Exercise (CERTEX). The MEU executes CERTEX prior to every deployment to ensure its capability of responding to a wide variety of contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Vernon T. Meekins/Released) - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Raul Elikhi, a cannoneer assigned to Kilo Battery, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary provides security during Humanitarian Aid, Disaster Relief training mission on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct 9, 2011. The Marines are conducting the training as part of the MEU's Certification Exercise (CERTEX). The MEU executes CERTEX prior to every deployment to ensure its capability of responding to a wide variety of contingencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Vernon T. Meekins/Released)

A CH-46 helicopter of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, arrives with Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, at the scene of a mass casualty exercise. The training was held in preparation for the 31st MEU’s certification for deployment. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward deployed MEU and is the nation’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A CH-46 helicopter of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, arrives with Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, at the scene of a mass casualty exercise. The training was held in preparation for the 31st MEU’s certification for deployment. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward deployed MEU and is the nation’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Humvees with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive onto a U.S. Navy landing craft air cushioned, July 30. The LCAC was transporting vehicles, equipment and personnel to USS Germantown (LSD 42) after the successful completion of 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 have participated. TS11 provided an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that increased 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. - Humvees with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive onto a U.S. Navy landing craft air cushioned, July 30. The LCAC was transporting vehicles, equipment and personnel to USS Germantown (LSD 42) after the successful completion of 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 have participated. TS11 provided an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that increased 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. - 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.