Kimberly Barr, notional U.S. ambassador (right), and Lt. Col. Troy Roesti, executive officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, speak with individuals role playing as an American non-government official and a village elder during a humanitarian assistance survey here, March 13. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU’s Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team evaluated the damage and condition of a local village in need of aid. The scenario is part of the 31st MEU’s Certification Exercise and tasks the unit with providing assistance to a village struck by a fictional typhoon. CERTEX is a semiannual event where the unit’s full range of capabilities are evaluated by the Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force with the purpose of maintaining the MEU’s proficiency. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.