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.

The USS Essex (LHD 2), arrives here to unload Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, for participation in the annual Amphibious Landing Exercise, Oct. 22. PHIBLEX maintains interoperability of forces and increases readiness of participating units. 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.::r::::n::::r::::n:: - The USS Essex (LHD 2), arrives here to unload Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, for participation in the annual Amphibious Landing Exercise, Oct. 22. PHIBLEX maintains interoperability of forces and increases readiness of participating units. 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.::r::::n::::r::::n::

Helicopters with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Rein), the Air Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, are staged after arriving here, Oct 20. The squadron is scheduled to support the Amphibious Landing Exercise and conduct bilateral training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 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. - Helicopters with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Rein), the Air Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, are staged after arriving here, Oct 20. The squadron is scheduled to support the Amphibious Landing Exercise and conduct bilateral training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 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.

Pfc. Celia A. Izaguirre, a maintenance management clerk with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes in the view aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2), Oct. 18. Izaguirre was born in the Rift Valley Province of East Africa, and spent her childhood moving from place to place, struggling to get by on her own. While trying to escape violence in Kenya, Africa, Izaguirre and her family attempted to seek shelter at a U.S. Embassy, where she saw the first U.S. Marine, an impression that would stay with her for the rest of her life. - Pfc. Celia A. Izaguirre, a maintenance management clerk with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes in the view aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2), Oct. 18. Izaguirre was born in the Rift Valley Province of East Africa, and spent her childhood moving from place to place, struggling to get by on her own. While trying to escape violence in Kenya, Africa, Izaguirre and her family attempted to seek shelter at a U.S. Embassy, where she saw the first U.S. Marine, an impression that would stay with her for the rest of her life.

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.

Marines with Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during a mock Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel training mission on Irisuna Island, Oct 11. The Marines are conducting the TRAP in support of the MEU's certification exercise which takes place prior to all MEU deployments to ensure it is capable of responding to a wide variety of contingencies. The 31st MEU is the nation’s only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains a force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during a mock Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel training mission on Irisuna Island, Oct 11. The Marines are conducting the TRAP in support of the MEU's certification exercise which takes place prior to all MEU deployments to ensure it is capable of responding to a wide variety of contingencies. The 31st MEU is the nation’s only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains a force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.