KOROR, Republic of Pelau -- U.S Marines with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted training in coordination with the Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Unit and Palau’s local authorities on July 16 – 22.


Local authorities helped plan and participated in many of the exercises to provide the Marines with realistic training and a chance to ensure familiarity with Palau's complex urban environment.

The training events consisted of multiple real-life scenarios in preparation for two different night raids in which the Marines secured the Airai Water Treatment Center and the Malakal Port while local authorities blocked-off roads and entrances at the locations.

“What we did was gather information on high valued targets and their activities while working with the police to ensure we captured the targets,” said Cpl. Myron R. Moore, a Tillamook, Oregon native and a Reconnaissance Transmission Operator with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon.

After capturing the targets, the Marines turned them over to the local authorities along with evidence and information, as they would in a real life occurrence.

“It is critical for the U.S. and Palau to train together and be able to operate with each other,” said Sgt. Philip Reeder, an Apple Valley, California native and a RTO with the FRP.

Under a Compact of Free Association the U.S. is bound to work alongside and protect Palau.

“The training in Palau gave us a chance to create a realistic training environment, and the local police were very cooperative and helpful,” said Cpl. Joshua Goodner, who is from Titusville, Florida and a scout with the FRP. “It would be awesome to train here again.”

This training is an example of the adaptability and flexibility required of the America’s military. These types of exercises build on other urban training that the EOTG, III MEF and 31st MEU have held in the past year.