Photo By 1st Lt. Anthony Ramos | U.S. Marine Corps Col. Tye R. Wallace and Col. Romin Dasmalchi salute during the 31st...... read more read more
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The ceremony featured music from the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, and distinguished guests such as III MEF commanding general Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson. The pass-and-review portion of the ceremony featured platoons representing each of the 31st MEU’s four elements: the command element; the ground combat element 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment; the aviation combat element Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 Reinforced and the combat logistics element Combat Logistics Battalion 31.
“The most-ready force of the most-ready MEF is the 31st ME,” said Nicholson. “Over the last 24 months, as I was reviewing the records of what this MEU has done, there’s not a country in the region that you’ve visited that hasn’t been positively impacted by your unit. You’ve functioned with great class and dignity, and you’ve brought great credit to this MEF, and what we represent.”
Dasmalchi assumed command of the 31st MEU on June 9, 2014, leading the unit through two major humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The MEU responded to the devastation in Saipan, an island in the northern Marianas, after Typhoon Souledor devastated the region Aug. 2-3, 2016. Most recently, the MEU provided crucial assistance for Operation Chinzei, a bilateral task force led by the Japanese Self Defense Force in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, after a series of earthquakes Aug. 15-17 killed 48 civilians and displaced roughly 100,000 people.
“When you look at these Marines, and look at this equipment, I hope you are thinking of combat, because that is what they are designed to do,” Dasmalchi said. “But once in a while, we get the unique opportunity, with our unique military equipment, to help people in need, and I couldn’t think of a better opportunity to do so when we were able to help our Japanese allies when they needed us the most.”
During Dasmalchi’s time in command, the 31st MEU also participated in seven bilateral and multilateral training exercises with Pacific partner nations, including Ssang Yong and the Korean Marine Exchange Program in the Republic of Korea, Talisman Sabre in Australia, several Amphibious Landing Exercises in the Philippines, Cobra Gold in Thailand and the Japanese Observer Exchange Program with the JSDF.
Dasmalchi closed his address by reflecting on his time as the 31st MEU commanding officer.
“I just want to say thank you to these Marines, I am really proud and very lucky to have been able to serve with such a fine unit,” Dasmalchi said.
Wallace then took the stage to address the Marines under his newly established command. He emphasized the importance of the 31st MEU’s ability to maintain a forward deployed, always-ready presence in a vast and dynamic region.
He also stressed how the fast and tough training the 31st MEU Marines undergoes maintains the flexibility and resourcefulness of the unit.
“The MEU’s varied and rich history follows us from combat operations on the shores of Vietnam, to disaster relief operations on Mainland Japan just a month ago,” Wallace said.
Wallace, who previously served with the Future Operations/plans officer for I MEF, welcomes the challenge and opportunity to serve as the commanding officer of the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.
“For the Marines and the Sailors of the 31st MEU, I would like to say that I am deeply honored and privileged to take charge as your commander,” Wallace said. “The MEU has a tremendous history and I am excited to be a part of this team.”
| Date Taken: | 05.20.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.20.2016 04:59 |
| Story ID: | 198625 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 233 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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