BLT arrives in Okinawa for 31st MEU deployment

Courtesy Photo | Marines of 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, began arriving Dec. 4 from Camp Pendleton, Calif., for deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the new Battalion Landing Team. The battalion has now become the ground combat element of the 31st MEU, and is scheduled to embark aboard ships of Amphibious Squadron 11 for theater security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.  

KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JAPAN

12.04.2011

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan - The infantry battalion, known as “The China Marines,” began arriving here Dec. 4 from Camp Pendleton, Calif., to join the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the new battalion landing team.

1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, coming in with more than 1,200 Marines and sailors, now becomes the ground combat element of the 31st MEU, and is scheduled to participate in the upcoming regular patrol of the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are excited to be here because in many ways we are returning home to the Pacific,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Norton, commanding officer, BLT 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. “We consider ourselves to be the oldest battalion in the Marine Corps and most of our unit history has been recorded here in the Pacific.

“In 1927, we came over here as part of the forces stationed in Shanghai, China, and that is where we got our name ‘China Marines’,” he said. “We also participated in the Battle for Okinawa. Still today, we keep our unit insignia as the Dragon, which symbolizes our strength and warrior spirit.”

First Battalion, 4th Marines, comes to the MEU with an attached artillery unit, Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, out of Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. There are also amphibious assault and light armored vehicles attached, all enhancing the ability of the BLT and the MEU to conduct the range of missions assigned.

The complex missions of the MEU require the battalion to do advance training prior to the deployment.

“We did mountain warfare training, training for amphibious raids, practicing for anything we could get tasked to do while with the 31st MEU,” said Lance Cpl. Matthew Sharp, infantry Marine with BLT 1st Battalion, 4th Marines.

“We have been practicing all the missions which we could be assigned, including amphibious operations and raiding with combat rubber reconnaissance craft,” said Norton. “At the battalion level, we sealed the training with a unit level exercise in October, practicing everything from full-spectrum combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”

The Marines of 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, are expected to participate in theater security cooperation exercises with partner nations. The exercises are designed to enhance bilateral teamwork and build interoperability, and 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, will be conducting training together with partner nation militaries.

“We are looking forward to this deployment and working with other armed forces,” said Cpl. Michael Older. “We are ready to respond to anything, and we feel good being here in case we are needed. Through all our training, I am making sure my Marines are ready to go.”

In addition to the scheduled exercises, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, is also prepared, with the rest of the MEU, to respond to any humanitarian or contingency crises that may arise.

The battalion’s motto is ‘Whatever It Takes,’ which is put to good use. The 31st MEU has responded five times in the last three years to humanitarian aid or disaster relief situations, including Operation Tomodachi in mainland Japan earlier this year.

“Any student of history understands that we could end up doing anything, from offering humanitarian assistance or disaster relief, theater security cooperation or even doing contingency operations,” said Norton. “We train to be prepared to do anything.
While abroad, the Marines of 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, realize they will represent their country to many foreign nations and cultures.

“This should be a good adventure. We will get to see other countries and be ambassadors for the U.S. abroad,” said Staff Sgt. David Densley, a platoon sergeant with BLT 1/4.

While in this region they expect to be working in the different terrain of Okinawa and partner nations across the western Pacific.

“We are looking to train in the jungle environment and working in different settings with our partner nations to improve our skills,” said Densley.

The Marine Corps is the nation’s sea-based expeditionary response force, and the 31st MEU and newly arrived 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, represent power projection in the Asia-Pacific.

First Battalion, 4th Marines, is replacing 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, whose Marines are now headed back home to MAGCC Twentynine Palms, Calif., after completing a successful fall deployment with the 31st MEU.

The battalion comes to Okinawa amid increasing focus by U.S. and Marine leadership in the Asia-Pacific region, and although theirs is a regularly scheduled rotation, they are well aware of the global landscape.

“Our battalion is ready and motivated to do their job,” said Norton. “We are in tune to the recent developments regarding the renewed focus here in the Pacific, and this feels like this is the place to be.”

• Date Taken: 12.04.2011
• Date Posted: 12.08.2011 01:41
• Story ID: 81052
• Location: KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JP