NEWS

A Marine with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) prepares to load 40mm practice M781 rounds into an Mk-19 at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, June 29, 2020. 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. The 31st MEU has implemented strict health protection measures and will continue to conduct mission essential training in support of regional security and stability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kolby Leger) - A Marine with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) prepares to load 40mm practice M781 rounds into an Mk-19 at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, June 29, 2020. 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. The 31st MEU has implemented strict health protection measures and will continue to conduct mission essential training in support of regional security and stability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kolby Leger)

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 367 operate an AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom during a joint maritime strike exercise with U.S. Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 over Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, June 9, 2020. HMLA-367 and HSM-37 conducted the training to exercise sea control and sea denial operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Wilson) - U.S. Marines with Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 367 operate an AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom during a joint maritime strike exercise with U.S. Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 over Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, June 9, 2020. HMLA-367 and HSM-37 conducted the training to exercise sea control and sea denial operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Wilson)

U.S. Marines and Soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) watch as flags are presented during an opening ceremony for exercise Northern Viper on Hokudaien Training Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Jan. 26, 2020. Northern Viper is a regularly scheduled training exercise that is designed to enhance the interoperability of the U.S. and Japan Alliance by allowing infantry units to maintain their lethality and proficiency in infantry and combined arms tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By Cpl. Cameron E. Parks) - U.S. Marines and Soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) watch as flags are presented during an opening ceremony for exercise Northern Viper on Hokudaien Training Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Jan. 26, 2020. Northern Viper is a regularly scheduled training exercise that is designed to enhance the interoperability of the U.S. and Japan Alliance by allowing infantry units to maintain their lethality and proficiency in infantry and combined arms tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By Cpl. Cameron E. Parks)

Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, close with an enemy machine gun position during a simulated raid at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, on Dec. 11, 2019. The 31st MEU is currently preparing for deployment through MEUEX, a two-week evolution that prepares the Marine Air-Ground Task Force for amphibious operations launched from naval vessels. 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. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew R. Bray) - Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, close with an enemy machine gun position during a simulated raid at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, on Dec. 11, 2019. The 31st MEU is currently preparing for deployment through MEUEX, a two-week evolution that prepares the Marine Air-Ground Task Force for amphibious operations launched from naval vessels. 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. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew R. Bray)

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Zachary Scalzo participates in a combat marksmanship range during exercise Fuji Viper 20.1 in Camp Fuji, Japan, Oct. 16, 2019. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Zachary Scalzo participates in a combat marksmanship range during exercise Fuji Viper 20.1 in Camp Fuji, Japan, Oct. 16, 2019. Fuji Viper is a regularly scheduled training evolution for infantry units assigned to 3rd Marine Division as part of the unit deployment program. The training allows units to maintain their lethality and proficiency in infantry and combined arms tactics. Scalzo is assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Timothy Hernandez)

Col. Robert Brodie, left, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, stands with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Kouki Watanabe, commanding officer of the JGSDF 12th Infantry Regiment after the opening ceremony for Exercise Forest Light Western Army at Camp Oyanohara, Kyushu, Japan, Jan. 18, 2020. The exercise will consist of field training events including basic infantry skills, vertical assaults integrated with MV-22B Osprey flight operations, and combined–arms, and enhances the collective defense capabilities of the U.S.-Japanese alliance. 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. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Audrey M. C. Rampton) - Col. Robert Brodie, left, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, stands with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Kouki Watanabe, commanding officer of the JGSDF 12th Infantry Regiment after the opening ceremony for Exercise Forest Light Western Army at Camp Oyanohara, Kyushu, Japan, Jan. 18, 2020. The exercise will consist of field training events including basic infantry skills, vertical assaults integrated with MV-22B Osprey flight operations, and combined–arms, and enhances the collective defense capabilities of the U.S.-Japanese alliance. 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. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Audrey M. C. Rampton)

Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, center, the 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, stands for a photo with fellow sergeants major during the Force Level Summit 2020 held in Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 15, 2020. The summit is a yearly event held to bring Force Level Sergeants Major together with the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps to discuss ideas, lessons learned and address current and future concerns of the Marine Corps in order to improve lethality and readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall) - Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, center, the 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, stands for a photo with fellow sergeants major during the Force Level Summit 2020 held in Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 15, 2020. The summit is a yearly event held to bring Force Level Sergeants Major together with the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps to discuss ideas, lessons learned and address current and future concerns of the Marine Corps in order to improve lethality and readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall)