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Tinian residents sit inside a military vehicle after a ceremony marking the end of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s mission as part of the U.S. Defense Support of Civil Authorities relief efforts on Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Nov. 14, 2018. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU and Combat Logistics Battalion 31 assisted the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and local and civil authorities on Tinian to deliver aid to Tinians affected by Super Typhoon Yutu, which struck here Oct. 25 as the second strongest storm to ever hit U.S. soil. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU and CLB-31 arrived on Tinian Oct. 29-31 to lead relief efforts on Tinian in response to Yutu as part of Task Force-West. TF-W is leading the Department of Defense’s efforts to assist CNMI’s local and civil authorities provide critical assistance for citizens devastated by Yutu. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations across the Indo-Pacific region. - Tinian residents sit inside a military vehicle after a ceremony marking the end of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s mission as part of the U.S. Defense Support of Civil Authorities relief efforts on Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Nov. 14, 2018. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU and Combat Logistics Battalion 31 assisted the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and local and civil authorities on Tinian to deliver aid to Tinians affected by Super Typhoon Yutu, which struck here Oct. 25 as the second strongest storm to ever hit U.S. soil. Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU and CLB-31 arrived on Tinian Oct. 29-31 to lead relief efforts on Tinian in response to Yutu as part of Task Force-West. TF-W is leading the Department of Defense’s efforts to assist CNMI’s local and civil authorities provide critical assistance for citizens devastated by Yutu. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations across the Indo-Pacific region.

The dock landing ship USS Ashland sits idle off the coast during the U.S. Defense Support of Civil Authorities relief effort in response to Super Typhoon Yutu, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Nov. 3, 2018. Businesses, government buildings, homes and schools were heavily damaged by Super Typhoon Yutu, which made a direct hit with devastating effect on Tinian Oct. 25 packing 170 MPH winds – it is the second strongest storm to ever hit U.S. soil and the strongest storm of 2018. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and CLB-31 have been leading a multi-service contingent since Oct. 29 as part of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency-directed DSCA mission here. The Ashland arrived today to deliver a larger contingent of Marines and Seabees to further assist the people of Tinian. The Marines arrived at the request of CNMI officials and FEMA to assist relief efforts in the wake of Yutu, the largest typhoon to ever hit a U.S. territory. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations across the Indo-Pacific region. - The dock landing ship USS Ashland sits idle off the coast during the U.S. Defense Support of Civil Authorities relief effort in response to Super Typhoon Yutu, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Nov. 3, 2018. Businesses, government buildings, homes and schools were heavily damaged by Super Typhoon Yutu, which made a direct hit with devastating effect on Tinian Oct. 25 packing 170 MPH winds – it is the second strongest storm to ever hit U.S. soil and the strongest storm of 2018. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and CLB-31 have been leading a multi-service contingent since Oct. 29 as part of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency-directed DSCA mission here. The Ashland arrived today to deliver a larger contingent of Marines and Seabees to further assist the people of Tinian. The Marines arrived at the request of CNMI officials and FEMA to assist relief efforts in the wake of Yutu, the largest typhoon to ever hit a U.S. territory. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations across the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. military members load relief supplies onto a CH-53E super stallion helicopter during a disaster relief mission at Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct. 10, 2016. The 24th MEU is part of a larger U.S. response to the government of Haiti request for humanitarian assistance. The U.S. effort is coordinated by the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Melanye E. Martinez) - U.S. military members load relief supplies onto a CH-53E super stallion helicopter during a disaster relief mission at Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct. 10, 2016. The 24th MEU is part of a larger U.S. response to the government of Haiti request for humanitarian assistance. The U.S. effort is coordinated by the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Melanye E. Martinez)

Japan Ground Self Defense Force personnel carry supplies from a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), in Hakusui Sports Park, Kyushu island, Japan, April 22, 2016. The supplies are in support of the relief effort after a series of earthquakes struck the island of Kyushu. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU and remains the Marine Corps' force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Japan Ground Self Defense Force personnel carry supplies from a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), in Hakusui Sports Park, Kyushu island, Japan, April 22, 2016. The supplies are in support of the relief effort after a series of earthquakes struck the island of Kyushu. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU and remains the Marine Corps' force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force officers watch as a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), refuels aboard the JS Hyuga (DDH 181), at sea, April 22, 2016. The Osprey received supplies from the Hyuga in support of the relief effort after a series of earthquakes struck the island of Kyushu. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU and remains the Marine Corps' force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force officers watch as a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), refuels aboard the JS Hyuga (DDH 181), at sea, April 22, 2016. The Osprey received supplies from the Hyuga in support of the relief effort after a series of earthquakes struck the island of Kyushu. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU and remains the Marine Corps' force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Japan Self-Defense Force members deliver earthquake relief supplies to Hakusui Sports Park in island of Kyushu, Japan April 19, 2016. The supplies are in support of the relief effort after a series of earthquakes struck the island of Kyushu. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU and remains the Marine Corps' force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Japan Self-Defense Force members deliver earthquake relief supplies to Hakusui Sports Park in island of Kyushu, Japan April 19, 2016. The supplies are in support of the relief effort after a series of earthquakes struck the island of Kyushu. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU and remains the Marine Corps' force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

CWO4 Jerod Murphy, assistant ordnance officer for 1st Marine Division, and Master Sgt. Shannon Sweeney, operations chief, ordnance officer and Inspector-Instructor for Combat Logistics Battalion 451, look at a make-shift memorial at what appears to be a former fountain in Biloxi, Miss., Aug. 12, 2015. Murphy and Sweeney were part of a team of Marines and sailors who rescued more than 200 people during and after Hurricane Katrina, August 2005. - CWO4 Jerod Murphy, assistant ordnance officer for 1st Marine Division, and Master Sgt. Shannon Sweeney, operations chief, ordnance officer and Inspector-Instructor for Combat Logistics Battalion 451, look at a make-shift memorial at what appears to be a former fountain in Biloxi, Miss., Aug. 12, 2015. Murphy and Sweeney were part of a team of Marines and sailors who rescued more than 200 people during and after Hurricane Katrina, August 2005.

U.S. Marines fill up water jugs for locals as part of a typhoon relief mission in Saipan, Aug. 15, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, assisted the locals of Saipan by producing and distributing potable water. The Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU were conducting training near the Mariana Islands when they were redirected to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3. - U.S. Marines fill up water jugs for locals as part of a typhoon relief mission in Saipan, Aug. 15, 2015. The Marines with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, assisted the locals of Saipan by producing and distributing potable water. The Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU were conducting training near the Mariana Islands when they were redirected to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3.