Sergeant Aaron M. Longberry, an MV-22 Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, waits at the back of his aircraft for it to be unloaded here, Aug. 7. The aircraft, which has the ability to fly like an airplane and conduct in-flight refueling, travelled 4,288 nautical miles in approximately 16 hours to self-deploy from Okinawa, Japan, to the ship operating off the coast of Australia. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Sergeant Aaron M. Longberry, an MV-22 Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, waits at the back of his aircraft for it to be unloaded here, Aug. 7. The aircraft, which has the ability to fly like an airplane and conduct in-flight refueling, travelled 4,288 nautical miles in approximately 16 hours to self-deploy from Okinawa, Japan, to the ship operating off the coast of Australia. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region and the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, board busses en route to Camp Hansen following their arrival on island, May 14. BLT 3/5 is replacing BLT 2/5 as the 31st MEU’s Ground Combat Element for the next six months, accompanying the MEU to for the upcoming annual Fall Patrol. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously-forward deployed MEU. - Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, board busses en route to Camp Hansen following their arrival on island, May 14. BLT 3/5 is replacing BLT 2/5 as the 31st MEU’s Ground Combat Element for the next six months, accompanying the MEU to for the upcoming annual Fall Patrol. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously-forward deployed MEU.

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sight-in with a M49 Spotting Scope during the battalion’s scout sniper screener at Camp Hansen, April 29 to May 1. The candidates were evaluated on their physical fitness, mental fortitude and their morale while conducting strenuous activities with little rest and applying lessons they were given. Of the 51 Marines that started the course, 15 remained after the first day. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU. - Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sight-in with a M49 Spotting Scope during the battalion’s scout sniper screener at Camp Hansen, April 29 to May 1. The candidates were evaluated on their physical fitness, mental fortitude and their morale while conducting strenuous activities with little rest and applying lessons they were given. Of the 51 Marines that started the course, 15 remained after the first day. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.