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.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Stephan A. Fournier (left) and Craig J. Reyes (right), both mortarmen with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a weapons drill with a 60 mm mortar as an Australian Blackhawk helicopter takes off behind them on Camp Rocky during Talisman Saber 2011. TS11 is a biennial combined training activity, designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting Combined Task Force operations to improve Australian Defense Force/U.S. combat readiness and interoperability. It reflects the closeness of the alliance and the strength and flexibility of the ongoing military-military relationship. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpls. Stephan A. Fournier (left) and Craig J. Reyes (right), both mortarmen with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a weapons drill with a 60 mm mortar as an Australian Blackhawk helicopter takes off behind them on Camp Rocky during Talisman Saber 2011. TS11 is a biennial combined training activity, designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting Combined Task Force operations to improve Australian Defense Force/U.S. combat readiness and interoperability. It reflects the closeness of the alliance and the strength and flexibility of the ongoing military-military relationship.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Kusnierz, a machine gunner from Byron, IL., with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assembles an M19 Automatic Grenade Launcher during the opening day of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, July 9. TS11 demonstrates the United States and Australian commitment to their military alliance, and enhances stability and security throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Kusnierz, a machine gunner from Byron, IL., with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assembles an M19 Automatic Grenade Launcher during the opening day of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, July 9. TS11 demonstrates the United States and Australian commitment to their military alliance, and enhances stability and security throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines and Sailors with the Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, debark a plane, July 7. The Marines and Sailors are slated to participate in exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 reflects the closeness of the Australian and U.S. alliance and the strength of the military-to-military relationship. - Marines and Sailors with the Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, debark a plane, July 7. The Marines and Sailors are slated to participate in exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 reflects the closeness of the Australian and U.S. alliance and the strength of the military-to-military relationship.

Sgt. Todd J. Martin, machine gunner and assistant section leader, Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, pets a koala bear while on a liberty trip on his first day in Australia. Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are here preparing for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, a bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability, flexibility, and readiness between Australia and the U.S. This exercise and training helps to maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region. - Sgt. Todd J. Martin, machine gunner and assistant section leader, Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, pets a koala bear while on a liberty trip on his first day in Australia. Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are here preparing for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, a bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability, flexibility, and readiness between Australia and the U.S. This exercise and training helps to maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region.

Marines with Company F, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to board the USS Tortuga during launch and recovery operations June 28. Once onboard the Tortuga, the Marines turned the boats around and returned to the water. - Marines with Company F, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to board the USS Tortuga during launch and recovery operations June 28. Once onboard the Tortuga, the Marines turned the boats around and returned to the water.

A Navy Boatswain signals the pilot of an AV-8B harrier aircraft with Marine Attack Squadron 214, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as it takes of USS Essex (LHD 2), June 29. Flight operations were conducted throughout the day in preparation for exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 will increase interoperability, flexibility, and readiness, all of which are force multipliers in maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific. - A Navy Boatswain signals the pilot of an AV-8B harrier aircraft with Marine Attack Squadron 214, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as it takes of USS Essex (LHD 2), June 29. Flight operations were conducted throughout the day in preparation for exercise Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 will increase interoperability, flexibility, and readiness, all of which are force multipliers in maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific.