31st Marine Expeditionary Unit prepares for Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise, fall patrol

Photo By Cpl. Abigail Brown | Marines with simulated injuries are helped to a CH-46 Sea Knight to be medically evacuated from the area at White Beach Naval Facility during a Realistic Urban Terrain Exercise Sept. 1.  

09.04.2009

Story by Pfc. J Nava 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit held several training exercises Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 in preparation for an upcoming MEU Exercise and the fall patrol to the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of South Korea.

Throughout the week, Marines with Deep Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st MEU and the Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion 5th Marines, 31st MEU, III Marine Expeditionary Force, participated in Realistic Urban Training Exercises, maritime raid force operations, at White Beach Naval Facility, the Central Training Area and the Jungle Warfare Training Center on Okinawa.

"The RUTEX allows us to evaluate our maritime raid force in conducting maritime contingencies," said Maj. Don Shove, assistant operations chief, 31st MEU. Holding the exercises in different areas gives the operations numerous varying factors, according to Shove.

Combat Logistics Battalion 31 also held a Combat Logistics Battalion Exercise in preparation for the MEUEX and upcoming fall patrol. CLB 31 provides various forms of combat support for the 31st MEU from explosive ordnance disposal to supply maintenance.

All are needed skills for the MEUEX and fall patrol.

"These exercises help us, prepare us, to do our daily job of providing the MEU with responsive and timely support," said Maj. Peter Forsythe, CLB 31's executive officer, 31st MEU.

During CLB 31's training, Marines participated in noncombatant evacuation operations to sharpen their basic infantry skills and perfect their Nightingale team, similar to a combat ambulance service, according to Forsythe.

"The MEUEX will be a lot bigger, we will have more company-sized raid forces," Shove said. "The Marines will participate in training such as boat raids, mech [mechanical] raids, helicopter raids and maritime interdiction operations."

"I believe we're looking awesome right now. Marines are working well, and they're motivated," said Forsythe. "Everything I've seen leads me to believe we'll be successful during the MEUEX and the upcoming patrol."

• Date Taken: 09.04.2009
• Date Posted: 09.16.2009 00:36
• Story ID: 38826