Darkhorse Arrives

Photo By Sgt. Stormy Mendez | Sgt. Humberto Bravo, a rifleman with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, carries his packs after arriving at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 11, 2017. BLT 3/5 replaced BLT 2/5 as the Ground Combat Element of the 31st MEU. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed unit, the 31st MEU air-ground-logistics team provides a flexible force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations, from limited combat to humanitarian assistance operations, throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stormy Mendez)  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.18.2017

Story by Lance Cpl. Jonah Baase 

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit       

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan (May 18, 2017) -- Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, replaced BLT 2/5 as the ground combat element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit here Thursday.
An efficient changeover of deployable Marines into a new unit is crucial for the mission of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, said 1st Sgt. James Underwood, Lima Company first sergeant, BLT 3/5.
“The transition was smooth because the advance party put in a lot of work,” said Underwood. “Our Marines have been exceptional, which allows us to focus on training and preparations for the upcoming deployment.”
According to Underwood, the Marines are looking forward to gaining new experiences and working together during the upcoming exercises.
“The Marines are a tight knit group,” said Underwood. “The support they give one another and their resilience makes them successful in completing any mission.”

• Date Taken: 05.18.2017
• Date Posted: 05.24.2017 03:51
• Story ID: 235010
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP