Lance Cpl. Joshua C. Davila, a team leader with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of San Antonio, Texas, engages targets during a Combat Marksmanship Program event here, July 30. The marksmanship training followed the conclusion of exercise Talisman Saber 2013, a biennial training activity between the U.S. and Australian armed forces that provides realistic and relevant training necessary to maintain security, peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Lance Cpl. Joshua C. Davila, a team leader with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of San Antonio, Texas, engages targets during a Combat Marksmanship Program event here, July 30. The marksmanship training followed the conclusion of exercise Talisman Saber 2013, a biennial training activity between the U.S. and Australian armed forces that provides realistic and relevant training necessary to maintain security, peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Corporal Jorge L. Rodriquez, the Raven team leader for Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Skokie, Ill., throws the Raven B. unmanned aerial vehicle into the air during Talisman Saber 13 here, July 22. The Marines with the Raven team provided near-continuous intelligence surveillance throughout the Shoalwater Bay Training Area for the 31st MEU during Talisman Saber 13.The 31st MEU simulated offensive and defensive operations against an opposing force comprised of Australian Army soldiers and Marines from the rotational force-Darwin, providing the team valuable experience in a realistic combat environment. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward deployed MEU. - Corporal Jorge L. Rodriquez, the Raven team leader for Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Skokie, Ill., throws the Raven B. unmanned aerial vehicle into the air during Talisman Saber 13 here, July 22. The Marines with the Raven team provided near-continuous intelligence surveillance throughout the Shoalwater Bay Training Area for the 31st MEU during Talisman Saber 13.The 31st MEU simulated offensive and defensive operations against an opposing force comprised of Australian Army soldiers and Marines from the rotational force-Darwin, providing the team valuable experience in a realistic combat environment. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward deployed MEU.

SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Queensland, Australia – Marines with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive a Light Armored Vehicle down a ridge line while conducting route reconnaissance as a part of Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 27. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are part of an integrated force of approximately 18,000 U.S. service members training alongside approximately 9,000 Australian service members in the fifth iteration of Talisman Saber 2013, a month-long biennial exercise provides realistic, relevant training necessary to maintain regional security, peace and stability. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU. - SHOALWATER BAY TRAINING AREA, Queensland, Australia – Marines with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive a Light Armored Vehicle down a ridge line while conducting route reconnaissance as a part of Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 27. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU are part of an integrated force of approximately 18,000 U.S. service members training alongside approximately 9,000 Australian service members in the fifth iteration of Talisman Saber 2013, a month-long biennial exercise provides realistic, relevant training necessary to maintain regional security, peace and stability. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU.

Marines with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, open fire on an enemy encampment during a night assault here, July 26. The assault was in support of Talisman Saber 2013, a biennial training activity between the U.S. and Australian forces that provides effective and intense training to ensure the combined forces are capable, interoperable, deployable on short notice and combat ready. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Marines with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, open fire on an enemy encampment during a night assault here, July 26. The assault was in support of Talisman Saber 2013, a biennial training activity between the U.S. and Australian forces that provides effective and intense training to ensure the combined forces are capable, interoperable, deployable on short notice and combat ready. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Sergeant Wesly T. Weber (left), military information support operations assistant team leader and a native of Rochester, N.Y., and Sgt. Miguel A. Lopez-Guillen (right), a military information support operations team leader and a native Santa Ana, Calif., both with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, speak with key leaders of a notional village as a part of Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 22. The engagement was one of many scenarios involved in Talisman Saber 13 that aim to provide the realistic and relevant training necessary to maintain regional security, peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region. The exercise also improves the Australian Defense Force and U.S. military’s ability to operate as a combined task force. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU. - Sergeant Wesly T. Weber (left), military information support operations assistant team leader and a native of Rochester, N.Y., and Sgt. Miguel A. Lopez-Guillen (right), a military information support operations team leader and a native Santa Ana, Calif., both with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, speak with key leaders of a notional village as a part of Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 22. The engagement was one of many scenarios involved in Talisman Saber 13 that aim to provide the realistic and relevant training necessary to maintain regional security, peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region. The exercise also improves the Australian Defense Force and U.S. military’s ability to operate as a combined task force. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward deployed MEU.

Marines and Sailors with Company E., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during the initial stages of exercise Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 20. Company G. served as the MEU’s initial ground forces by securing a beach landing site and a nearby airfield. Talisman Saber 2013 is a biennial training exercise between approximately 18,000 joint U.S. forces and approximately 9,000 Australian forces, aimed at improving combat readiness and interoperability. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Marines and Sailors with Company E., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during the initial stages of exercise Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 20. Company G. served as the MEU’s initial ground forces by securing a beach landing site and a nearby airfield. Talisman Saber 2013 is a biennial training exercise between approximately 18,000 joint U.S. forces and approximately 9,000 Australian forces, aimed at improving combat readiness and interoperability. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Marines and Sailors with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, land in Amphibious Assault Vehicles during the initial stages of exercise Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 20. Company G. served as the MEU’s initial ground forces by securing a beach landing site and a nearby airfield. Talisman Saber 2013 is a biennial training exercise between approximately 18,000 joint U.S. forces and approximately 9,000 Australian forces, aimed at improving combat readiness and interoperability. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Marines and Sailors with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, land in Amphibious Assault Vehicles during the initial stages of exercise Talisman Saber 2013 here, July 20. Company G. served as the MEU’s initial ground forces by securing a beach landing site and a nearby airfield. Talisman Saber 2013 is a biennial training exercise between approximately 18,000 joint U.S. forces and approximately 9,000 Australian forces, aimed at improving combat readiness and interoperability. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Staff Sgt. Michael W. Burkhart, an amphibious assault vehicle section leader with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of Norman, Okla., alters the ship’s course heading here, July 15. Burkhart is training to be a qualified helmsman of small-deck Navy vessels in addition to performing his duties as an AAV staff noncommissioned officer in support of a bilateral exercise in Australia. The 31st MEU is embarked aboard the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, currently participating in Talisman Saber 2013,a biennial training exercise with the Australian military designed to enhance multilateral collaboration in support of future combined operations, natural disaster, humanitarian and emergency response. - Staff Sgt. Michael W. Burkhart, an amphibious assault vehicle section leader with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and native of Norman, Okla., alters the ship’s course heading here, July 15. Burkhart is training to be a qualified helmsman of small-deck Navy vessels in addition to performing his duties as an AAV staff noncommissioned officer in support of a bilateral exercise in Australia. The 31st MEU is embarked aboard the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, currently participating in Talisman Saber 2013,a biennial training exercise with the Australian military designed to enhance multilateral collaboration in support of future combined operations, natural disaster, humanitarian and emergency response.

Corporal Bronson Radke, an anti-tank missileman with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Roscoe, Ill., explains the nomenclature of an Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher to a young Australian boy during the opening ceremony for exercise Talisman Saber, here, July 14. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU, PHIBRON 11, and Expeditionary Strike Group 7 will train alongside a joint U.S. force that totals approximately 18,000 personnel, as well as approximately 9,000 Australian service members in the fifth iteration of Talisman Saber, a month-long biennial exercise designed to enhance multilateral collaboration in support of future combined operations, natural disaster, humanitarian and emergency response. - Corporal Bronson Radke, an anti-tank missileman with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Roscoe, Ill., explains the nomenclature of an Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher to a young Australian boy during the opening ceremony for exercise Talisman Saber, here, July 14. The Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU, PHIBRON 11, and Expeditionary Strike Group 7 will train alongside a joint U.S. force that totals approximately 18,000 personnel, as well as approximately 9,000 Australian service members in the fifth iteration of Talisman Saber, a month-long biennial exercise designed to enhance multilateral collaboration in support of future combined operations, natural disaster, humanitarian and emergency response.

Marines and Sailors (left) of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and crew of the USS Bonhomme Richard engage in a scrum with players of the Brisbane West Bulldogs (right) during a rugby match here, July 12. The match was orchestrated weeks prior to the units’ arrival in Australia as a way for the service members to embrace some of the culture and build camaraderie. Over the next few weeks, the Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU and the Amphibious Squadron 11 will conduct integrated training with their Australian counterparts in order to improve their cooperative ability to plan, communicate and conduct complex operations. - Marines and Sailors (left) of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and crew of the USS Bonhomme Richard engage in a scrum with players of the Brisbane West Bulldogs (right) during a rugby match here, July 12. The match was orchestrated weeks prior to the units’ arrival in Australia as a way for the service members to embrace some of the culture and build camaraderie. Over the next few weeks, the Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU and the Amphibious Squadron 11 will conduct integrated training with their Australian counterparts in order to improve their cooperative ability to plan, communicate and conduct complex operations.