Stories

Marines and Sailors of Combat Logistics Battalion 31 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), both with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, explore the historical site of a 1942 12-inch coastal defense gun during a tour here Nov. 4, 2011. The gun was used by American and Filippino service members defending Corregidor in 1942. Service members of the 31st MEU toured Corregidor after the completion of the Amphibious Landing Exercise, designed to enhance interoperability between the military forces, continuing the allied relationship that has existed for more than half a century. - Marines and Sailors of Combat Logistics Battalion 31 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), both with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, explore the historical site of a 1942 12-inch coastal defense gun during a tour here Nov. 4, 2011. The gun was used by American and Filippino service members defending Corregidor in 1942. Service members of the 31st MEU toured Corregidor after the completion of the Amphibious Landing Exercise, designed to enhance interoperability between the military forces, continuing the allied relationship that has existed for more than half a century.

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)

Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, jump out of a C-130 Hercules airplane during a bilateral, low-level static-line parachuting exercise, Oct 25. The Marines were conducting the training with members of the Philippine Armed Forces during the Amphibious Landing Exercise. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, jump out of a C-130 Hercules airplane during a bilateral, low-level static-line parachuting exercise, Oct 25. The Marines were conducting the training with members of the Philippine Armed Forces during the Amphibious Landing Exercise. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Amphibious Assault Vehicles with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, make their way ashore during a mock mechanized amphibious assault, Oct. 23. The assault was a bilateral exercise, and is conducted annually by the Republic of the Philippines and United States. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Amphibious Assault Vehicles with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, make their way ashore during a mock mechanized amphibious assault, Oct. 23. The assault was a bilateral exercise, and is conducted annually by the Republic of the Philippines and United States. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

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)

Cpl. Caleb S. Walcott, a squad leader with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security in the back of an amphibious assault vehicle during a mock amphibious raid, Oct. 14. The raid was conducted during the 31st MEU’s certification exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Cpl. Caleb S. Walcott, a squad leader with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security in the back of an amphibious assault vehicle during a mock amphibious raid, Oct. 14. The raid was conducted during the 31st MEU’s certification exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s 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. - 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 Marine with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to breach and clear a building, August 18. The Marines of FRP were clearing the house in order to build their vessel boarding, searching and seizing skills. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A Marine with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to breach and clear a building, August 18. The Marines of FRP were clearing the house in order to build their vessel boarding, searching and seizing skills. 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. 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.