NAVAL BASE GUAM, Guam -- Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Ashland (LSD 48) pushed back out to sea after unit-level training in Guam as part of a regularly-scheduled deployment across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

While the Sailors aboard the Ashland conducted routine maintenance on the ship, Marines with India Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, and Combat Logistics Battalion 31 honed their crisis response abilities and infantry fundamentals through daily training events.

The primary mission of CLB-31 in Guam, as the Logistics Combat Element of the 31st MEU, was to logistically support BLT 3/5, the Ground Combat Element of the 31st MEU, by providing essentials like food, power and transportation throughout their time training. The CLB-31 Marines set up a Combat Service Support Area and ran operations out of the Nimitz Hill training area, Naval Base Guam. They also conducted unit-level training, which included small arms live-fire ranges, convoy training and personal security detail training.

Master Sgt. Anthony W. Ovitt, the operations chief for CLB-31, said he was impressed with the Marines’ accomplishments, especially with only one-third of CLB-31 supporting the Guam operations.

“The Marines exceeded my expectations during the entire time in Guam,” said Ovitt. “CLB-31 not only supported the logistical requirements of the BLT during this time, but also conducted challenging, realistic and meaningful training successfully.”

The other two-thirds of CLB-31 provided logistical support to BLT Marines aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and USS Greenbay (LPD 20) during the deployment. The Ashland, Bonhomme Richard and Greenbay, together forming PHIBRON 11, partner with the 31st MEU to form the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group.

India Company, the mechanized raid company of BLT 3/5, left their Assault Amphibious Vehicles staged in the well deck of the Ashland to focus on small-unit tactics. India Company Marines were put through a series of realistic training scenarios including IED reaction, reaction to sniper actions, reaction to ambush and reconnaissance patrols, and were evaluated by platoon and company leadership as they progressed. The training focused on individual and squad-level skills with platoon-level decision-making and execution.

Capt. Charles Broun, India Company’s commanding officer, said the training was expected to be difficult due to the challenging climate and the jungle-like urban environment of the uninhabited housing area at Andersen South Air Force Base.

“The high temperature, humidity and tropical environment brought another set of challenges and human factors that Marines at all levels had to deal with,” said Broun. “The training was an opportunity to continue to sharpen
our edge as warfighters in skills that can be used in any mission.”
During India Company’s military operations in urbanized terrain training, military police soldiers stationed in Guam integrated with the infantrymen for patrols and notional missions. The soldiers were with the 58th Military Police Company, 728th Military Police Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade.

Broun said the goal of India Company’s training in Guam was to improve readiness and maintain skills that are essential to crisis response missions in the region.

“The Marines of India Company and CLB-31, as well as the Ashland and her crew, are absolutely ready and poised to conduct any mission in the region,” said Broun. “Recently, the Marines and Sailors have been able to execute our expeditionary principles to support training, integrate with sister services to create joint training and conduct missions supported across the warfighting functions seamlessly.

“Our integrated efforts, teamwork and personal relationships developed during this patrol are unparalleled. This ability is the lynchpin to crisis response and humanitarian assistance missions that are often uncertain and rapidly develop.”