Photo By Lance Cpl. Trevor BishopWilliams | U.S. Marine Corps Col. Chris Niedziocha, the commanding officer of the 31st Marine...... read more read more
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Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan – In October 2025, for the first time since the Tripoli sailed to the Indo-Pacific, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Command Element embarked USS Tripoli (LHA 7), marking a pivotal shift in the unit’s operational posture and amphibious capabilities. This integration signals the beginning of a new chapter for the 31st MEU as it begins long-term operations with the Tripoli, marking the transition from USS America (LHA 6), which served as the MEU’s primary aviation platform in the Indo-Pacific for the past six years.
The staff's arrival aboard Tripoli establishes the relationships needed to execute a forward, sea-based command and control node capable of directing complex expeditionary military operations across the Indo-Pacific. This integration allows the 31st MEU to have long-distance force projection from a mobile, self-sustained platform and rapidly respond to contingencies throughout the region.
"The time we spent on board USS Tripoli this week was valuable; this is the team we’re going forward with and if necessary, fight alongside. This is the beginning of a six-year relationship, so the stakes are high, and we have to get this right.” said Colonel Chris P. Niedziocha, the commanding officer of the 31st MEU. “This partnership creates a powerful and agile force, ready to respond to any challenge in the region.”
The 31st MEU’s Aviation Combat Element (ACE), comprised of F-35B II Lightnings, MV-22B Ospreys, and rotary-wing support aircraft, commenced helicopter flight operations from Tripoli. These routine integrated aviation operations continually build the MEU’s ability to conduct sustained expeditionary air-ground operations from the ship, enhancing distributed combat power and precision strike capabilities at sea and ashore.
The ongoing integration and flight operations set the stage for bilateral exercises with allies and partners or military operations. As the only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU continues to integrate its capabilities to operate from the sea, adapt to emerging threats, and remain the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific.
The 31st MEU is permanently positioned to provide a flexible and combat-capable force to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and multi-domain military operations in the Indo-Pacific region with our allies and partners.
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2025 19:16 |
| Story ID: | 550732 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 17 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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