U.S. Marines Embark for Deployment to Asia-Pacific Region

Photo By Cpl. Ryan Mains | U.S. Marines and sailors walk aboard the USS Ashland (LSD 48) in preparation for the annually- scheduled Fall Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan May 7, 2015. The Marines are with Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines and are attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the ground combat element. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released)  

SEA OF JAPAN

06.09.2015

Courtesy Story

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit       

SEA OF JAPAN - More than 2,000 Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard Navy ships of Amphibious Squadron 11 to begin a patrol of the Asia-Pacific region.

This is already the 31st MEU’s second deployment of the year, the first was in spring where the Marines and Sailors participated in a theater security cooperation event in Malaysia, worked alongside Republic of Korea Marines for the Korean Marine Exchange Program 15.1, and landed an MV-22B Osprey for the first time ever on the flight deck of a Republic of Korea Navy amphibious assault ship. The patrol lasted from February to April 2015.

While on this regularly-scheduled patrol, the 31st MEU expects to participate in regional theater security cooperation exercises, complete a certification exercise as well as any contingency missions.

"The Marines and Sailors of 31st MEU are eager and ready to begin our deployment. They have been grooming equipment and training all summer in preparation for this underway period,” according to Col. Romin Dasmalchi, commanding officer of the 31st MEU. “This deployment is also quite special because, for the first time, (Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force) soldiers will be deploying with us to practice amphibious operations, and we are going to integrate with our Australian partners and others as well. As always, we look forward to linking up with our Navy partners with PHIBRON 11 to form our (Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit) team."

The Marines and Sailors will embark aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and USS Ashland (LSD 48).

Four elements make up The 31st MEU: the Command Element; Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced); Marine Attack Squadron 311 and Combat Logistics Battalion 31.

The 31st MEU provides a forward-deployed, flexible, sea-based force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations in the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU in the Marine Corps, and remains the force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

For more information about the deployment of the 31st MEU, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/31stMEU or visit our webpage at: http://www.31stmeu.marines.mil.

For interested media, official Marine Corps video and imagery will be available for your use, viewing and downloading at http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/31MEU.

There is no cost for these products, but registration on this government site is required for download.

Media queries regarding the 31st MEU may be directed to Capt. Jennifer Giles, 31st MEU public affairs officer at [e-mail]; [e-mail]; or [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 06.09.2015
• Date Posted: 06.08.2015 23:41
• Story ID: 165927
• Location: SEA OF JAPAN