U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire weapons during a timed squad competition drill held at the culmination of bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire weapons during a timed squad competition drill held at the culmination of bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to fire a high-explosive rocket from a shoulder-launched, multipurpose assault weapon during bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to fire a high-explosive rocket from a shoulder-launched, multipurpose assault weapon during bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Ashley Evans, a team leader with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observes Australian Army soldier Cpl. Geoff Miller, a transportation specialist with the 1st Brigade, conduct a live-fire course during bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Ashley Evans, a team leader with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observes Australian Army soldier Cpl. Geoff Miller, a transportation specialist with the 1st Brigade, conduct a live-fire course during bilateral exercise Raider Dawn. This exercise increases interoperability and mutually benefits the U.S. and Australian armed services by giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Australian Defence Force members unload gear from an Australian military vehicle at the beginning of a bilateral exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Australian Defence Force members unload gear from an Australian military vehicle at the beginning of a bilateral exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ 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.

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.