Lieutenant Col. Troy Roesti, executive officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, greets soldiers of 12th Infantry Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces, during their arrival here, May 29. As part of the Japanese Observer Exchange Program, the soldiers will live alongside Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU while observing approximately three weeks of amphibious operations. By sharing small unit concepts and tactics for amphibious operations, the two forces aim to increase interoperability and strengthen bilateral response to future challenges. - Lieutenant Col. Troy Roesti, executive officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, greets soldiers of 12th Infantry Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces, during their arrival here, May 29. As part of the Japanese Observer Exchange Program, the soldiers will live alongside Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU while observing approximately three weeks of amphibious operations. By sharing small unit concepts and tactics for amphibious operations, the two forces aim to increase interoperability and strengthen bilateral response to future challenges.

Marines with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, escort a notional enemy prisoner of war during the culmination of a Close Quarters Tactics course here, May 24. The CQT course, run by Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, involved engaging the enemy at very short ranges in a fast, violent assault requiring precision fire and split-second decision making. With the certification completed, the platoon stands ready to conduct any mission the 31st MEU may deem necessary during their upcoming patrol. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, escort a notional enemy prisoner of war during the culmination of a Close Quarters Tactics course here, May 24. The CQT course, run by Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, involved engaging the enemy at very short ranges in a fast, violent assault requiring precision fire and split-second decision making. With the certification completed, the platoon stands ready to conduct any mission the 31st MEU may deem necessary during their upcoming patrol. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, have their gear inspected at customs following their arrival here, May 22. The Marines of 2/4 arrived in Okinawa to become the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s new battalion landing team, replacing 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, after their six-month tour with the MEU. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, have their gear inspected at customs following their arrival here, May 22. The Marines of 2/4 arrived in Okinawa to become the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s new battalion landing team, replacing 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, after their six-month tour with the MEU. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines with the landing support platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion-31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire M-249 Squad Automatic Weapons during a crew-served weapon shoot here, May 20. The unit is currently conducting CLB Exercise, the 31st MEU’s logistics combat element pre-deployment training, designed to refresh skills and tactics prior to operating outside of garrison. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with the landing support platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion-31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire M-249 Squad Automatic Weapons during a crew-served weapon shoot here, May 20. The unit is currently conducting CLB Exercise, the 31st MEU’s logistics combat element pre-deployment training, designed to refresh skills and tactics prior to operating outside of garrison. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines execute shoulder throws as part of the culmination event of the three-week Martial Arts Instructor Course here, May 3 – 17. The students participating in the course learned how to instruct Marines in every aspect of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, earning the tan tab sewn on their belts, denoting them as instructors upon completion. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines execute shoulder throws as part of the culmination event of the three-week Martial Arts Instructor Course here, May 3 – 17. The students participating in the course learned how to instruct Marines in every aspect of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, earning the tan tab sewn on their belts, denoting them as instructors upon completion. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Two CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, take off during their final MEU deployment here, March 20. The flyover marked the final time the helicopters, also known as “Phrogs,” will be deployed as a squadron before rotating out for the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Two CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, take off during their final MEU deployment here, March 20. The flyover marked the final time the helicopters, also known as “Phrogs,” will be deployed as a squadron before rotating out for the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.