NEWS

U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, and Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, prepare to fire an M777 Howitzer during the Artillery Relocation Training Program in Ojojihara, Japan, July 30, 2019. ARTP is an exercise in Japan that provides artillery Marines an opportunity to train and enhance their capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christine Phelps) - U.S. Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, and Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, prepare to fire an M777 Howitzer during the Artillery Relocation Training Program in Ojojihara, Japan, July 30, 2019. ARTP is an exercise in Japan that provides artillery Marines an opportunity to train and enhance their capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christine Phelps)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2019) Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have a guided discussion with Lt. Cmdr Jason Weatherwax, Chaplain with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, after “Chap’s Fit”, a daily workout and discussion group focusing on spiritual toughness, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (Official U.S Navy photo by RP3 Anthony Wood-Casella) - PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2019) Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have a guided discussion with Lt. Cmdr Jason Weatherwax, Chaplain with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, after “Chap’s Fit”, a daily workout and discussion group focusing on spiritual toughness, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (Official U.S Navy photo by RP3 Anthony Wood-Casella)

An F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, loaded with a Joint Direct Attack Munition and a laser guided bomb, prepares to take off during an aerial gunnery and ordnance hot-reloading exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Solomon Sea, August 4, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dylan Hess) - An F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, loaded with a Joint Direct Attack Munition and a laser guided bomb, prepares to take off during an aerial gunnery and ordnance hot-reloading exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Solomon Sea, August 4, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dylan Hess)

Ordnance Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load an AIM- 9X Sidewinder missile onto an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft prior to a defensive combat air patrol rehearsal aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Pacific Ocean, August 7, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (Official U.S Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Velez) - Ordnance Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load an AIM- 9X Sidewinder missile onto an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft prior to a defensive combat air patrol rehearsal aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Pacific Ocean, August 7, 2019. Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as ready-response force for any type of contingency, while simultaneously providing a flexible and lethal crisis response force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. (Official U.S Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Velez)

U.S. Marines with 7th Communication Battalion conducted a Distributed Command and Control Exercise (DC2EX) July 10-23, 2019, spanning more than 3,700 miles across multiple locations in the Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines with 7th Communication Battalion conducted a Distributed Command and Control Exercise (DC2EX) July 10-23, 2019, spanning more than 3,700 miles across multiple locations in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines assess a terrain map during a simulated amphibious assault of exercise Talisman Sabre 19 in Bowen, Australia, July 22, 2019. Talisman Sabre provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined, joint and interagency environment that will increase participating countries' abilities to plan and execute contingency responses, from combat missions to humanitarian assistance efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tanner D. Lambert - U.S. Marines assess a terrain map during a simulated amphibious assault of exercise Talisman Sabre 19 in Bowen, Australia, July 22, 2019. Talisman Sabre provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined, joint and interagency environment that will increase participating countries' abilities to plan and execute contingency responses, from combat missions to humanitarian assistance efforts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tanner D. Lambert

Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, is comprised of various units, task organized to accomplish the different missions the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is expected to be prepared for. One of the most versatile and dynamic capabilities that 2/1 offers would be the ability to vertically envelop the enemy and conduct offensive operations to seize, occupy and defend an objective. This is the job of Echo Company, tasked as BLT 2/1, 31st MEU’s Air Assault Company, currently deployed aboard the USS Wasp (LHD 1), as they take part in Talisman Sabre 2019, a biennial exercise between the U.S. and Australia. - Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, is comprised of various units, task organized to accomplish the different missions the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is expected to be prepared for. One of the most versatile and dynamic capabilities that 2/1 offers would be the ability to vertically envelop the enemy and conduct offensive operations to seize, occupy and defend an objective. This is the job of Echo Company, tasked as BLT 2/1, 31st MEU’s Air Assault Company, currently deployed aboard the USS Wasp (LHD 1), as they take part in Talisman Sabre 2019, a biennial exercise between the U.S. and Australia.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael J. West presents the Marine Corps to U.S. Marine Corp Maj. Gen. Paul J. Rock Jr. during the 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade assumption of command at the Camp Courtney Theater, July 26, 2019. Rock assumes command as the deputy commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. The assumption of command ceremony represents the relinquishing of power from one commanding general to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. George Melendez) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael J. West presents the Marine Corps to U.S. Marine Corp Maj. Gen. Paul J. Rock Jr. during the 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade assumption of command at the Camp Courtney Theater, July 26, 2019. Rock assumes command as the deputy commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. The assumption of command ceremony represents the relinquishing of power from one commanding general to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. George Melendez)

Marines from the Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team stand alongside their Tactical Aid to Navigation device, which helps them guide incoming aircraft into the landing zone. Being able to rapidly set up and maintain airstrips and helipads in a deployed environment is one of the many capabilities that Detachment 18 brings to the 31st MEU. - Marines from the Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team stand alongside their Tactical Aid to Navigation device, which helps them guide incoming aircraft into the landing zone. Being able to rapidly set up and maintain airstrips and helipads in a deployed environment is one of the many capabilities that Detachment 18 brings to the 31st MEU.

“The capabilities and resourcefulness of the Marines in each of the individual platoons have developed and grown,” said 1st Lt. Michael Downing, Light Armored Reconnaissance platoon commander with Weapons Company. - “The capabilities and resourcefulness of the Marines in each of the individual platoons have developed and grown,” said 1st Lt. Michael Downing, Light Armored Reconnaissance platoon commander with Weapons Company. “Even in the restricted training environment on ship, seeing their drive to keep up the training in Weapons Company has been a very rewarding experience. We are excited to showcase all of our capabilities during Talisman Sabre and see all of our Marines’ hard work pay off.”