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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

Marines and sailors from Combat Logistics Battalion 31 (CLB-31), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducted weapons familiarization classes during a CLB Exercise (CLBEX) Jan. 4-8. The MEU is currently preparing for its Spring Patrol in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2010 (CG ’10) in the Kingdom of Thailand and Exercise Balikatan 2010 (BK ’10) in the Republic of the Philippines. - Marines and sailors from Combat Logistics Battalion 31 (CLB-31), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducted weapons familiarization classes during a CLB Exercise (CLBEX) Jan. 4-8. The MEU is currently preparing for its Spring Patrol in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2010 (CG ’10) in the Kingdom of Thailand and Exercise Balikatan 2010 (BK ’10) in the Republic of the Philippines.