WHITE BEACH, Okinawa, Japan, (Aug. 20, 2016) – Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit wait on the gangplank before boarding the USS Bonhomme Richard at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 20, 2016.The 31st MEU is embarked aboard the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group during a regularly scheduled patrol of the Pacific region. - WHITE BEACH, Okinawa, Japan, (Aug. 20, 2016) – Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit wait on the gangplank before boarding the USS Bonhomme Richard at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 20, 2016. The 31st MEU is embarked aboard the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group during a regularly scheduled patrol of the Pacific region.

Sgt. Maj. James Roberts, off-going sergeant major of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, relinquishes the sword of office during his relief and appointment ceremony and retirement ceremony to Col. Tye R. Wallace, commanding officer of the 31st MEU, and oncoming MEU Sgt. Maj. Jim Lanham, Aug. 10, 2016 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. Roberts retired after 30 years of service, completing his enlistment with a tour as sergeant major of the 31st MEU. The 31st MEU led several humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations across the Pacific region, as well as various bilateral and multilateral exercises with Pacific partner nations, during Roberts’ tenure as the 31st MEU’s senior enlisted advisor. - Sgt. Maj. James Roberts, off-going sergeant major of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, relinquishes the sword of office during his relief and appointment ceremony and retirement ceremony to Col. Tye R. Wallace, commanding officer of the 31st MEU, and oncoming MEU Sgt. Maj. Jim Lanham, Aug. 10, 2016 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. Roberts retired after 30 years of service, completing his enlistment with a tour as sergeant major of the 31st MEU. The 31st MEU led several humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations across the Pacific region, as well as various bilateral and multilateral exercises with Pacific partner nations, during Roberts’ tenure as the 31st MEU’s senior enlisted advisor.