CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- During a non-combatant evacuation operation, CLB-31 stages and supports an evacuation control center. This center processes evacuees, after eliminating the threat of hostile acts, and brings American citizens home and out of hostile environments.
“Our job is to protect U.S. citizens overseas at a moment’s notice,” said Sgt. Major Christopher S. Gasser, Sgt. Major of CLB-31. “The 31st MEU thoroughly trains in a number of unique capabilities through fast-paced training cycles, maintaining unit readiness to provide security for the Indo-Asia-Pacific.”
During patrols of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region the Marine Expeditionary Unit will be conducting various training exercises as a part of the crawl, walk, run phases of the MEU’s training cycle.
“The MEU runs through ship to shore scenarios for each of the phases,” said Master Sgt. Anthony W. Ovitt, operations chief for CLB-31. “Expeditionary Operations Training Group will monitor from start to finish, from the movements to the operations on land.”
The Marine Air-Ground Task Force has long provided the United States with a broad spectrum of response options when U.S. and allied interests have been threatened and in non-combat situations which require instant response to crisis.
“If we were called upon to do a real mission, we need the marines to be comfortable in the execution of their duties,” said Gunnery Sgt. Eric R. Snipes, NEO mission Staff Non-Commissioned Officer. “We are the first in line to be called upon, so the 31st needs to maintain a high level of readiness.”
As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward deployed unit, the 31st MEU is prepared to respond to a wide range of military operations, from humanitarian assistance missions to limited combat operations, at a moment’s notice. As a balanced air-ground-logistics team, the 31st MEU is ready to respond throughout the Asia-Pacific region.