Marines with 1st Platoon, Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, get in combat rubber raiding crafts to conduct an assault here, Dec. 20. The Marines were practicing their landing techniques in preparation for the MEU’s upcoming deployment. 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 1st Platoon, Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, get in combat rubber raiding crafts to conduct an assault here, Dec. 20. The Marines were practicing their landing techniques in preparation for the MEU’s upcoming deployment. 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 the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, breach a door during a simulated raid, Dec. 16. The raid was conducted as part of Realistic Urban Training Exercise, a semiannual training event done to increase interoperability for the MEU’s upcoming deployment. 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 the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, breach a door during a simulated raid, Dec. 16. The raid was conducted as part of Realistic Urban Training Exercise, a semiannual training event done to increase interoperability for the MEU’s upcoming deployment. 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 Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, helps a child putt a golf ball during a community relations event here, Dec. 17. Marines and Sailors with CLB 31, 31st MEU, spent the day playing games, singing Christmas carols and encouraging more than 120 special needs children. 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 Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, helps a child putt a golf ball during a community relations event here, Dec. 17. Marines and Sailors with CLB 31, 31st MEU, spent the day playing games, singing Christmas carols and encouraging more than 120 special needs children. 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 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, searches a role player during a simulated noncombatant evacuation operation, Dec. 14. Marines with CLB 31 were training Marines of Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st MEU, on how to set up and execute an evacuation control center. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit remains America’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region, and is the only continually forward-deployed MEU. - A Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, searches a role player during a simulated noncombatant evacuation operation, Dec. 14. Marines with CLB 31 were training Marines of Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st MEU, on how to set up and execute an evacuation control center. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit remains America’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region, and is the only continually forward-deployed MEU.

2nd Lt. Dave Baugh, the deputy public affairs officer for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, struggles to open his eyes while executing a takedown during an oleoresin capsicum spray training event with Combat Logistics Battalion 31 here, Dec. 9. The OC training certifies Marines to be military police augments for the MEU and to carry OC spray. The 31st MEU remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region, and is the only continually forward-deployed MEU. - 2nd Lt. Dave Baugh, the deputy public affairs officer for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, struggles to open his eyes while executing a takedown during an oleoresin capsicum spray training event with Combat Logistics Battalion 31 here, Dec. 9. The OC training certifies Marines to be military police augments for the MEU and to carry OC spray. The 31st MEU remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region, and is the only continually forward-deployed MEU.

Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast-rope from a U.S. Air Force UH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter to the flight deck of the USNS Dahl during a visit, board, search and seizure training exercise offshore of White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Dec. 5. The VBSS training allowed Marines the opportunity to practice capturing merchant cargo ships used by weapons smugglers and pirates. 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 Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast-rope from a U.S. Air Force UH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter to the flight deck of the USNS Dahl during a visit, board, search and seizure training exercise offshore of White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Dec. 5. The VBSS training allowed Marines the opportunity to practice capturing merchant cargo ships used by weapons smugglers and pirates. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines of 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, arrive from Camp Pendleton, Calif. for deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the new Battalion Landing Team, Dec. 4. The battalion has now become the ground combat element of the 31st MEU, and is scheduled to embark aboard ships of Amphibious Squadron 11 for support of Theater Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is America’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and the only continually forward-deployed MEU. - Marines of 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, arrive from Camp Pendleton, Calif. for deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the new Battalion Landing Team, Dec. 4. The battalion has now become the ground combat element of the 31st MEU, and is scheduled to embark aboard ships of Amphibious Squadron 11 for support of Theater Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is America’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and the only continually forward-deployed MEU.

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.