U.S. Marines with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Battalion Landing Team, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), provide security while conducting loading exercises with the Internally Transportable Vehicle on a CH-53 Super Stallion with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, during training events at Landing Zone Swan. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Battalion Landing Team, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), provide security while conducting loading exercises with the Internally Transportable Vehicle on a CH-53 Super Stallion with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, during training events at Landing Zone Swan. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains 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.

A landing craft air cushion returns cargo and equipment back to White Beach after offloading Marines and vehicles from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, commanded by Cmdr. Carol McKenzie, recently completed exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, a bilateral command post and field training exercise designed to maintain a high level of interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A landing craft air cushion returns cargo and equipment back to White Beach after offloading Marines and vehicles from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, commanded by Cmdr. Carol McKenzie, recently completed exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, a bilateral command post and field training exercise designed to maintain a high level of interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

A Marine with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, engages targets during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. 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 Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, engages targets during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sgt. Aaron Klopf, air traffic controller with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, currently attached to 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, utilizes a device to measure wind direction, elevation, barometric pressure and wind estimates, and then relays those measurements to the pilots of the KC-130J Super Hercules cargo airplanes before the Marines conduct rapid ground refueling training on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Aug 11. - Sgt. Aaron Klopf, air traffic controller with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, currently attached to 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, utilizes a device to measure wind direction, elevation, barometric pressure and wind estimates, and then relays those measurements to the pilots of the KC-130J Super Hercules cargo airplanes before the Marines conduct rapid ground refueling training on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Aug 11.

Mr. Hironobu Sugawara, Kessennuma City Assemblyman from Oshima Island, presented lessons learned from the earthquake and tsunami that damaged his community to Okinawan leaders during a luncheon at the Ocean Breeze on Marine Corps Base Camp Foster, August 8. He also spoke of the considerable assistance provided by the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during relief efforts. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Mr. Hironobu Sugawara, Kessennuma City Assemblyman from Oshima Island, presented lessons learned from the earthquake and tsunami that damaged his community to Okinawan leaders during a luncheon at the Ocean Breeze on Marine Corps Base Camp Foster, August 8. He also spoke of the considerable assistance provided by the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during relief efforts. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Boys from Oshima Island talk outside of the 25-meter pool on Marine Corps Base Camp Foster during a pool party, August 8. The event served as the culmination of a four day retreat and a continuation of the assistance received by the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during Operation Tomodachi. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Boys from Oshima Island talk outside of the 25-meter pool on Marine Corps Base Camp Foster during a pool party, August 8. The event served as the culmination of a four day retreat and a continuation of the assistance received by the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during Operation Tomodachi. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Col. Andrew MacMannis, the commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, talks with Australian soldier Lt. Col. Charles Weller, the commanding officer of 4th Regiment, during a staff exercise, August 2. During the exercise, several key leaders of the 31st MEU shared their knowledge of amphibious operations with Australian forces, which are currently in the process of creating an amphibious force. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Col. Andrew MacMannis, the commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, talks with Australian soldier Lt. Col. Charles Weller, the commanding officer of 4th Regiment, during a staff exercise, August 2. During the exercise, several key leaders of the 31st MEU shared their knowledge of amphibious operations with Australian forces, which are currently in the process of creating an amphibious force. 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 Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Navy Sailors interact with patients during a community relations project. 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. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Navy Sailors interact with patients during a community relations project. 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. 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.