U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lighting IIs assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, take off from the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) on Aug. 6, 2024. The F-35B is the Marine Corps newest asset in its arsenal, prepared to dominate the airspace by establishing air superiority. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Apollo Wilson)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Chris Niedziocha, the commanding officer of 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, recites the oath of office and oath of enlistment in a formation at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 28, 2024. Niedziocha recognized Marines and Sailors for their exceptional performance and hard work ethic. Marines reaffirm their commitment to the constitution of the United States of America in lieu of Independence Day. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Apollo Wilson)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Charles Tuan, an AH-1Z attack helicopter pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, explains the purpose of firing an AGM-179 joint air-to-ground munition (JAGM) and the use of a forward arming and refueling point (FARP), during an expeditionary (EXPO) strike training mission, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, June 26, 2024. This EXPO strike launched the first live JAGM from an AH-1Z in the Indo-Pacific region. The JAGM provides a true “fire and forget” capability to guide the missile to a target, able to destroy fast-moving maritime targets like fast attack craft (FAC) in rough sea states. A FARP extends the range of aircraft in their ability to provide firepower, as well as fuel, to reach the objective and return home. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Christopher Lape) This video contains music from a USMC enterprise licensed asset from Adobe Stock: “Two Armies,” performed by Wendel Scherer.

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, commemorate two years overseas while embarked on ships from U.S. Navy Amphibious Squadron 11, across the Indo-Pacific region, during the command of Col. Matthew Danner, the commanding officer of the 31st MEU, between June 2, 2022 - May 20, 2024. Lt. Col. Brendan Neagle, the operations officer between 2021 - 2023, highlights the 31st MEU’s crisis response efforts in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea; the strengthened relationship with allies and partnerships; as well as the command climate and care for the Marines, which set the environment for the 31st MEU to succeed. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Christopher R. Lape) This video contains music from a USMC enterprise licensed asset from Adobe Stock: “A Battle for the Future,” performed by Eoin Mantell.