DEDEDO, Guam -- The 31st Marine
Expeditionary Unit is scheduled to participate in certification exercises
on the islands of Guam, Tinian and Palau from Aug. 10-19.
During CERTEX, III Marine Expeditionary Force Expeditionary
Operations Training Group evaluates the MEU on several missions the unit may be tasked
to execute as the Marine Corps’ crisis response force for the Asia-Pacific region. During
each spring and fall deployment the 31st MEU conducts the certification exercise to test their
capabilities and proficiency in their mission essential tasks.
“Training in this relatively unfamiliar environment is
critical to our success,” said Col. Romin Dasmalchi, commander of the 31st MEU. “As the Nation’s only
permanently deployed Marine Expeditionary Unit, we must be able to react with little to
no notice. Working these complex military problems on unfamiliar terrain makes us that much
better. In order to stay flexible and always ready, we leverage every training opportunity we can
to improve ourselves.”
The training conducted throughout these islands will center
on situational training exercises.
MEU planners will be issued a series of mock orders designed
to replicate the types of missions they are likely to face during their deployment. The MEU
staff will then plan the missions in detail and execute them in designated locations.
During CERTEX, Marine evaluators will observe and grade the
MEU on the full range of military operations. “They are going to execute a vertical
assault and small boat raid, as well as a humanitarian assistance exercise with mass casualty
evacuations and ship-to-shore maneuvering,” explained Major Eric Lum of Expeditionary
Operations Training Group.
The training on Guam will be held at Naval Base Guam Sumay
Marina, South Finnegayan Housing in Dededo and Reserve Craft Beach. The exercise will
also be conducted on Tinian North Field and at the U.S. Embassy in Palau.
Residents of the islands can expect to see Marines
periodically throughout the exercise, and are likely to notice military helicopters and ground vehicles
operating in the area.
Dasmalchi called the area ideally suited to the MEU’s needs.
“We must continuously prepare, plan and train to remain the
Marine Corps’ forward deployed, force in readiness. This location provides tremendous
training opportunities and CERTEX is one of our best opportunities to train and plan for variety of
contingency missions.”
For more information on the mission and history of the 31st
MEU, contact 31st MEU Public
Affairs Officer, Capt Jennifer Giles, at
Jennifer.Giles@bhr.usmc.mil or visit the unit’s websites
at www.31stmeu.marines.mil/, or www.facebook.com/31stMEU.