(From left to right) Lance Cpl. Samuel Dent, Sgt. Juan Vallejomunoz, Lance Cpl. Aleena Smith, Sgt. James Mabe, and Cpl. Oscar Archaga, all administrative clerks with the administration section of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Command Element, pose for a photograph, March 24. The five Marines are responsible for the administrative needs of the more than 2,100 Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU. The 31st MEU serves as the United States’ expeditionary force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region. - (From left to right) Lance Cpl. Samuel Dent, Sgt. Juan Vallejomunoz, Lance Cpl. Aleena Smith, Sgt. James Mabe, and Cpl. Oscar Archaga, all administrative clerks with the administration section of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Command Element, pose for a photograph, March 24. The five Marines are responsible for the administrative needs of the more than 2,100 Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU. The 31st MEU serves as the United States’ expeditionary force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region.

Captain Sarah Smith, CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, climbs aboard her aircraft to begin the flight that surpassed the 12,000 flight hour milestone, March 22. The 31st MEU serves as the United States’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region. - Captain Sarah Smith, CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, climbs aboard her aircraft to begin the flight that surpassed the 12,000 flight hour milestone, March 22. The 31st MEU serves as the United States’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region.

Lance Cpl. Samantha A. Sabalboro, an airframe mechanic with Marine Attack Squadron 311, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, patrols the passageways of the USS Essex (LHD 2), looking for safety issues or actions contrary to Navy and Marine Corps regulations, March 21. Sabalboro fills two billets on ship, working as a patrolman for eight hours during the day with the Navy Master at Arms office, then an airframe mechanic with her squadron upon completion of her patrolman shift. Sabalboro is eager to continue improving her skills as a patrolmen and airframe mechanic throughout the duration of the 31st MEU’s deployment to the Asia-Pacific region. - Lance Cpl. Samantha A. Sabalboro, an airframe mechanic with Marine Attack Squadron 311, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, patrols the passageways of the USS Essex (LHD 2), looking for safety issues or actions contrary to Navy and Marine Corps regulations, March 21. Sabalboro fills two billets on ship, working as a patrolman for eight hours during the day with the Navy Master at Arms office, then an airframe mechanic with her squadron upon completion of her patrolman shift. Sabalboro is eager to continue improving her skills as a patrolmen and airframe mechanic throughout the duration of the 31st MEU’s deployment to the Asia-Pacific region.

Sergeant Collin J. Walter, or “Rain Man” as he’s called by his fellow communications Marines, a data network specialist with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, troubleshoots a government computer here, March 21. Walter is known as the “Rain Man” because of his unique ability to look at a problem and fix the discrepancy. As the 31st MEU continues its patrol of the Asia-Pacific region, Walters’s command is happy knowing that he will continue to use his unique abilities to train Marines. - Sergeant Collin J. Walter, or “Rain Man” as he’s called by his fellow communications Marines, a data network specialist with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, troubleshoots a government computer here, March 21. Walter is known as the “Rain Man” because of his unique ability to look at a problem and fix the discrepancy. As the 31st MEU continues its patrol of the Asia-Pacific region, Walters’s command is happy knowing that he will continue to use his unique abilities to train Marines.

Lance Cpl. Alejandro Carbajal, scout swimmer and rifleman with Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, scouts ahead before the primary raid force lands on the shoreline during a small boat raid here, March 17. The raid was conducted during the MEU’s Certification Exercise, which upon completion certifies that the MEU is capable to respond to any scenario that may arise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Lance Cpl. Alejandro Carbajal, scout swimmer and rifleman with Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, scouts ahead before the primary raid force lands on the shoreline during a small boat raid here, March 17. The raid was conducted during the MEU’s Certification Exercise, which upon completion certifies that the MEU is capable to respond to any scenario that may arise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines with Company C, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide security and advance on their objective during a helicopter raid here, March 16. The raid was conducted during the MEU’s Certification Exercise, which upon completion certifies that the MEU is capable to respond to a wide range of contingency operations. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with Company C, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide security and advance on their objective during a helicopter raid here, March 16. The raid was conducted during the MEU’s Certification Exercise, which upon completion certifies that the MEU is capable to respond to a wide range of contingency operations. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Cpl. Joshua E. Dixon, a communications technician with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, demonstrates using a satellite communication system during a long range raid. During the raid, Dixon utilized the system to coordinate with commanders aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) from over 1,000 miles away. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Cpl. Joshua E. Dixon, a communications technician with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, demonstrates using a satellite communication system during a long range raid. During the raid, Dixon utilized the system to coordinate with commanders aboard the USS Essex (LHD 2) from over 1,000 miles away. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Cpl. Garry Welch, combat correspondent deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, reads a digital copy of a letter sent to him by Wataru Kikuta, a Japanese boy he met during Operation Tomodachi exactly one year ago. After the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster wreaked havoc in Northeastern Japan, the 31st MEU was dispatched to Oshima Island, in the Kessenuma City area, where Welch helped Wataru in clearing the debris of what was once his house. Wataru contacted Welch through a reporter after he saw a one-year-later documentary about the disaster in which Welch was interviewed. The 31st MEU has responded to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations five times in the last four years. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward deployed MEU and is the U.S.’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Cpl. Garry Welch, combat correspondent deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, reads a digital copy of a letter sent to him by Wataru Kikuta, a Japanese boy he met during Operation Tomodachi exactly one year ago. After the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster wreaked havoc in Northeastern Japan, the 31st MEU was dispatched to Oshima Island, in the Kessenuma City area, where Welch helped Wataru in clearing the debris of what was once his house. Wataru contacted Welch through a reporter after he saw a one-year-later documentary about the disaster in which Welch was interviewed. The 31st MEU has responded to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations five times in the last four years. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward deployed MEU and is the U.S.’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon and Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast rope from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), and secure the flight deck of the USNS Matthew C. Perry off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, March 13. FRP and MRF conducted the visit, board, search, seizure training during the MEU’s certification exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon and Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast rope from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), and secure the flight deck of the USNS Matthew C. Perry off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, March 13. FRP and MRF conducted the visit, board, search, seizure training during the MEU’s certification exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.