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Sailors, Marines Visit Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan High School, Malaysia

Sailors assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) and Marines with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participate in a traditional Malaysian dance with students from the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Inanam High School during a cultural exchange and community service event. Ashland, part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency.

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USS Green Bay, 31st MEU Arrive in Thailand for Cobra Gold

Landing craft utility (LCU) 1651, assigned to Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7, approaches the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20). Green Bay, part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is in Thailand to participate in Exercise Cobra Gold 2019. Cobra Gold is a multinational exercise co-sponsored by Thailand and the United States that is designed to advance regional security and effective response to crisis contingencies through a robust multinational force to address common goals and security commitments in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Marine F-35B Lightning II Fighters Strike with Externally-mounted Ordnance at Sea for the First Time

An F-35B Lightning II with the F-35B detachment of Medium Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced) releases Guided Bomb Units on-target above the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 3, 2019. Naval aviators with the detachment fly the Marine Corps' newest, most advanced multi-role fighter, the F-35B. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU partnering with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity Conducts Systems Operability Testing Aboard USS Wasp

Multiple Landing Crafts, Air Cushions (LCAC) prepare to exit the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Feb. 3, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency.

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31st MEU Maritime Raid Force Takes Realistic Urban Training Exercise to Hawaii

Capt. Jordan Vargas, a platoon commander for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force, speaks with a crowd before a tactical display of a vehicle interdiction during a community engagement event at Naval Air Museum Barbers Point, Kapolei, Hawaii, Jan. 19, 2019. The event gave the Marines of the MRF the opportunity to build a relationship with the community. There were static displays of the Marines and their gear, a breaching display and a tactical demonstration of a high value target interdiction. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Cantrell/Released)

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Guam National Guard plays role in moving supplies to Saipan

Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Nayyaamunhotep Stubbs signals a 10-ton dump truck from the 9th Mission Support Command, 411th Engineer Brigade, Guam Army National Guard to drive inside the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) to transfer the equipment to the island of Saipan for Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) efforts. Sailors and Marines from Ashland, assigned to Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11, are providing Department of Defense support to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands' civil and local officials as part of the FEMA-supported Typhoon Yutu recovery efforts.

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USS Ashland Completes Typhoon Recovery Mission in Northern Mariana Islands

Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Jose Garcia signals Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) 1634 to approach the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) with heavy equipment to transfer to the island of Saipan for Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) efforts. Sailors and Marines from Ashland, assigned to Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11, are providing Department of Defense support to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ civil and local officials as part of the FEMA-supported Typhoon Yutu recovery efforts

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31st MEU Takes the Lead of Joint-service Task Force in Response to Super Typhoon Yutu

Gunnery Sgt. Angel Ignacio, the battalion gunnery sergeant with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, catches a package of bottled water from a coastguardsman aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Washington (WPB-1331) while delivering food and supplies to citizens of Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands during relief efforts in the wake of Super Typhoon Yutu, Oct. 29, 2018. Ignacio, a communications chief, is a native of Guam, CNMI, which was also affected by Yutu. The Marines arrived on Tinian in the wake of Super Typhoon Yutu as part of the U.S. Defense Support of Civil Authorities here. The Marines arrived at the request of CNMI officials and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist relief efforts in the wake of Yutu, the largest typhoon to ever hit a U.S. territory. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations across the Indo-Pacific region.

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Wasp ARG, 31st MEU conduct DATF drill in the South China Sea

Sailors and Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) fire weapons, including a Light Armored Vehicle's M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun, at a target during a Defense of the Amphibious Task Force (DATF) drill on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). As part of the DATF, the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 31st MEU team, assumed a security posture, to simulate traveling through potentially dangerous waters. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp ARG, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency.

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Wasp ARG, 31st MEU conduct DATF drill in the South China Sea

Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, aim a Light Armored Vehicle’s M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun during gunnery training aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), underway in the South China Sea, Sept. 24, 2018. During the training, the Marines staged LAVs atop the Wasp’s flight deck to refine their gunnery capabilities to act as ship security. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations.

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Marine Units Complete Support to Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands following Typhoon Mangkhut

Col. Robert Brodie, right, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), shakes hands with Efraim Atalig, left, the mayor of Rota, during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Corporal Joe Junior G. Charfauros Veterans Memorial Park in Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Sept. 14, 2018. Service members from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command are providing Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and working with Guam and CNMI civil and local officials for Typhoon Mangkhut recovery efforts. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations.

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Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group Provides Air Support to CNMI Recovery Efforts

Personnel with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and U.S. service members from the Coast Guard and Navy depart. Personnel from FEMA were surveying damage caused by Typhoon Mangkhut and a contingent of U.S. military personnel remained on the island to clear debris. Service members from Indo-Pacific Command are providing Department of Defense support to FEMA and working with Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands' civil and local officials for typhoon recovery efforts.

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Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group Begins DSCA Operations in Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands

Cpl. Joseph Apodaca, a radio operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, carries gear onto a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.) at Andersen Air Force Base as part of typhoon relief efforts in Rota, Northern Mariana Islands, Sept. 11, 2018. Apodaca, a native of Casa Grande, Arizona, graduated Vista Grande High School May 2013; he enlisted in the Marine Corps Aug. the same year. Service members from the Indo-Pacific Command are providing Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and working with Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas civil and local officials for Typhoon Mangkhut recovery efforts. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations.

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Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group Begins DSCA Operations in Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31 carry gear onto a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.) at Andersen Air Force Base as part of typhoon relief efforts in Rota, Northern Mariana Islands, Sept. 11, 2018. Service members from the Indo-Pacific Command are providing Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and working with Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas civil and local officials for Typhoon Mangkhut recovery efforts. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations.

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STEP ONE, CHECK – 31ST MEU COMPLETES MEUEX

Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, riding Assault Amphibious Vehicles, head toward the shore during a mechanized assault as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s MEU Exercise, near Ginoza Village, Okinawa, Japan, June 28, 2018. Marines and Sailors with Echo Company performed the final training event of MEUEX, an assault launched from Camp Schwab and targeting Combat Town, part of Okinawa’s Central Training Area. Marines with Echo Company, the mechanized assault element with BLT 2/5, partner with AAV crews to perform raids and assaults launched from the sea. MEUEX is the first in a series of three pre-deployment training events that prepare the 31st MEU to deploy at a moment’s notice. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations.

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Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade sets sail

Japanese UH-60J helicopters leave to assist in simulated casualty evacuations during an amphibious warfare exercise on the DDH Type Hyuga while underway in the Pacific Ocean, May 19, 2018. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, joined the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members to embark with the newly formed Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to enhance the ARDB’s capabilities to deal with various situations on islands. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations.

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“Retreat, Hell!” Marines land in Okinawa

Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, load onto busses headed to Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 18, 2018. BLT 2/5 will be taking up the role as the Ground Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations.

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Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade sets sail

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members join U.S. Marines and Sailors, to celebrate an amphibious warfare exercise at Camp Ainoura, Sasebo, Japan, May 16, 2018. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, joined the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service members to embark with the newly formed Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to enhance the ARDB’s capabilities to deal with various situations on islands. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations.

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31st MEU sergeant major relinquishes sword of office, Mota assumes duties

Sgt. Maj. Jim Lanham, out-going sergeant major of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to receive the Legion of Merit at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 27, 2018. Lanham relinquished the sword to Sgt. Maj. Edwin Mota during the ceremony. Mota assumed duties as the 31st MEU sergeant major after leaving 2nd Raider Battalion and Lanham is slated to assume duties as sergeant major of 12th Marine Corps District at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, During Lanham’s tenure, the 31st MEU supported several exercises across the Indo-Pacific region, including Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise, Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand and Exercise Talisman Saber in Australia.

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31st MEU returns home after historic deployment

Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit move packs and gear pier side at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, April 21, 2018, after returning from the 31st MEU’s Spring Patrol 2018. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Pacific.

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