Marine volunteers from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron – 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, remove trash and debris from Taguchi Beach, Okinawa, Japan, on the morning of July 30. The groups spent more than two hours removing enough trash and debris to fill 15 (33-gallon) bags. 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. - Marine volunteers from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron – 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, remove trash and debris from Taguchi Beach, Okinawa, Japan, on the morning of July 30. The groups spent more than two hours removing enough trash and debris to fill 15 (33-gallon) bags. 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.

U.S. Marines with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to fire a high-explosive rocket from a shoulder-launched, multipurpose assault weapon during 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, prepare to fire a high-explosive rocket from a shoulder-launched, multipurpose assault weapon during 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. Marine Lance Cpl. Ashley Evans, a team leader with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observes Australian Army soldier Cpl. Geoff Miller, a transportation specialist with the 1st Brigade, conduct a live-fire course during 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. Marine Lance Cpl. Ashley Evans, a team leader with Company F., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observes Australian Army soldier Cpl. Geoff Miller, a transportation specialist with the 1st Brigade, conduct a live-fire course during 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, and Australian Defence Force members unload gear from an Australian military vehicle at the beginning of a bilateral exercise. 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, and Australian Defence Force members unload gear from an Australian military vehicle at the beginning of a bilateral exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the United States’ 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.