COMMAND DUTY OFFICER:

FAMILY READINESS OFFICER:

 EMAIL: 31meuweb.iiimef@usmc.mil      

USS ESSEX, At Sea(March 15, 2010) – The purpose of Exercise Balikatan (which means “shoulder to shoulder” in Tagalog) is to improve our interoperability and develop close professional relationships with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in order to improve our ability to work together across a broad spectrum of crisis scenarios such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. (Full Post)(Photo Gallery)

TERNATE, Republic of the Philippines (March 10, 2010) – Members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and servicemembers assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted a three-day medical and dental civil action projects (MEDCAP/DENCAP) at Dinglas Elementary, Ternate Central Elementary and San Juan Elementary School in the province of Cavite, March 8 - 10.(Full Story)(Photo Gallery)

MEU kicks-off  Marnay ENCAP for BK '10 

BARANGAY MARNAY, SINAIT, Republic of the Philippines (March 7, 2010) – Marnay Primary School students sing the Philippine National Anthem alongside servicemembers of the Republic of the Philippines and  the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) during an opening ceremony for an engineering civil affairs project (ENCAP), March 5. Marines and sailors with CLB-31 are rebuilding a two-room classroom at Marnay Primary School during exercise Balikatan 2010 (BK ’10). Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the U.S. are working together during BK ’10 to hone their civil-military interoperability skills to ensure more responsive, efficient and effective relief efforts. (Full Story)(Photo Gallery)

AFP and U.S. Marines plan for Balikatan 2010 

USS ESSEX, At Sea (Mar. 4, 2010) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and U.S. Forces came together aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) for the final planning phase of exercise Balikatan 2010 (BK’10),  Feb. 27 – March 3.  Twelve Republic of the Philippines Marine and Navy officers worked side-by-side with their U.S. counterparts from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Amphibious Squadron 11 (PHIBRON 11) and USS Essex to coordinate the details for a joint helicopter, mechanized, and boat raid for the exercise.  (Full Story) (Photo Gallery)

Promotion Ceremony 

USS ESSEX, At Sea (Mar. 1, 2010) – Lance Cpl. Brian J. Martin, a data and network specialist with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), shakes hands with Col. Paul L. Damren, 31st MEU Commanding Officer, after being promoted to his current rank during a promotion ceremony aboard the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). “At sea promotions simply add to the illustrious history we have as Marines as an amphibious force.  Our roots are ingrained in the nations’ history of warfare at sea, so to be promoted at sea simply lends to the lore of being involved in amphibious operations which is the base of our history as an organization,” said Master Sgt. Dale Durand, who once was promoted at sea.(Photo Gallery)