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Sailors with the dock landing ship USS Ashland sit pier-side aboard a landing craft at the port 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.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. T. T. Parish

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.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. T. T. Parish

U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Utility 1657 assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), exits the well deck of the USS Kearsarge carrying Marine Corps personnel and equipment in support of Hurricane Maria relief operations, in the Caribbean Sea, Sept. 24, 2017. The 26th MEU is supporting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the lead federal agency, in helping those affected by Hurricane Maria to minimize suffering and is one component of the overall whole-of-government response effort. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis C. Schneider)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis Schneider

A Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey aircraft with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), approaches a landing zone to return personnel and equipment to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) after conducting humanitarian aid and relief work in a community affected by Hurricane Irma in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, Sept. 17, 2017. The 26th MEU is supporting authorities in the U.S. Virgin Islands with the combined goal of protecting the lives and safety of those in affected areas.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Santino Martinez

CARIBBEAN SEA 09.13.2017 Photo by Lance Cpl. Santino Martinez 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Subscribe 49 A U.S. Marine with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists other Marines and Sailors during a replenishment-at-sea aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, Caribbean Sea, Sep. 13, 2017. The 26th MEU is supporting the lead federal agency in providing humanitarian relief (and/or search and rescue) efforts for Hurricane Irma.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Santino Martinez

U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), II Marine Expeditionary Force prepare to board the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Aug. 30, 2017. Approximately 690 Marines from the 26th MEU embarked aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) as part of prudent measures in anticipation of future tasking to support relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Santino Martinez

U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), II Marine Expeditionary Force board the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Aug. 30, 2017. Approximately 690 Marines from the 26th MEU embarked aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) as part of prudent measures in anticipation of future tasking to support relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Santino D. Martinez)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Santino Martinez

A Sri Lankan Marines disassembles the M4 service rifle alongside U.S. Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during weapons skills familiarization held at the port of Colombo as part of a theater security cooperation engagement, March 28. USS Comstock and the 11th MEU are in Sri Lanka to exchange expertise on a range of topics as part of ongoing exchanges between the two forces to enhance skills sets and strengthen relations.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Devan Gowans

Gunnery Sgt. Michael S. Grabau, assistant operations chief with Company B, Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 4th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, paints a window fixture during a community relations project held at the Ratmalana School for the Deaf and Blind, as part of a theater security cooperation engagement in Colombo, March 28. Since March 27, Marines and Sailors embarked aboard USS Comstock have participated in bilateral training and cultural activities alongside the Sri Lanka Armed Forces, helping to build and maintain military-to-military relations, enhance military readiness, and increase humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparations.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Devan Gowans

U.S. Marine 7-ton trucks with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to distribute water and supplies from the USS Ashland to local civilians as part of typhoon relief efforts in Saipan, Aug. 11, 2015. The 31st MEU and the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group are assisting the Federal Emergency Management Agency with distributing emergency relief supplies to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bekkala

U.S. Marines Lance Cpl. Andy Larsen and Cpl. Tommy Clark, with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load water from the USS Ashland into containers on a 7-ton tuck which will be driven to water distribution stations to aid local civilians as part of typhoon relief efforts in Saipan, Aug. 11, 2015. The 31st MEU and the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group are assisting the Federal Emergency Management Agency with distributing emergency relief supplies to Saipan after the island was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bekkala

U.S. Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit load into an MV-22B Osprey aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, Aug. 8, 2015. The 31st MEU is staging Ospreys in Guam in support of typhoon recovery efforts in Saipan. The aircraft will be on standby in the event their aerial lift capacity is needed to distribute emergency supplies to remote areas. Saipan, the most populated island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei

Two MV-22B Ospreys prepare to take off from the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard, Aug. 8, 2015. The 31st MEU is staging Ospreys in Guam in support of typhoon recovery efforts in Saipan. The aircraft will be on standby in the event their aerial lift capacity is needed to deliver emergency supplies to remote areas. Saipan, the most populated island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, was struck by Typhoon Soudelor Aug. 2-3.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei

U.S. Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the USS Ashland offload relief supplies from the ship for typhoon recovery efforts in Saipan, Aug. 8, 2015. The MEU and the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group will assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency in delivering the supplies to the victims of Typhoon Soudelor in Saipan. The island, part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, was struck by the typhoon Aug. 2-3.

Photo by Cpl. Ryan Mains

Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Amphibious Squadron 11 and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), stand in formation during a ceremony to commemorate the victims of the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), Mar. 11. During Operation Tomodachi, the 31st MEU and Amphibious Squadron-11 distributed 164,000 pounds of food, thousands of gallons of water and other relief supplies to Kesennuma, Oshima Island and other areas throughout the Honshu region. Colonel John Merna, commanding officer of the 31st MEU and a native of Prince George’s County, Md., said, “General Mattis once said that when it comes to U.S. Marines, there is no better friend, no worse enemy. The friendships made with the people of Oshima Island, for example, continue to this day. The history of the 31st MEU - PHIBRON-11 team will be forever linked to the people of Oshima Island.” The 31st MEU is currently conducting amphibious integration training alongside PHIBRON-11 while deployed for its regularly-scheduled Spring Patrol. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Carla Burdt

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltroter Squadron (VMM) 262 takes off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to airlift supplies ashore in support of Operation Damayan. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group, in coordination with the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, is assisting the Philippine government in ongoing relief efforts in response to the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Liam Kennedy/Released)

Photo by MCSN Liam Kennedy

New York City is visible from the deck of USS Wasp, where Marines and sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard, Nov. 1, 2012, to assist in disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The 26th MEU is able to provide generators, fuel, clean water, and helicopter lift capabilities to aid in disaster relief efforts. The 26th MEU is currently conducting pre-deployment training, preparing for their departure in 2013. As an expeditionary crisis response force operating from the sea the MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael S. Lockett/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Michael S. Lockett

Marines and sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed aboard USS Wasp, Nov. 1, 2012, currently sailing off the coast of New York City, to assist in disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The 26th MEU is able to provide generators, fuel, clean water, and helicopter lift capabilities to aid in disaster relief efforts. The 26th MEU is currently conducting pre-deployment training, preparing for their departure in 2013. As an expeditionary crisis response force operating from the sea the MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael S. Lockett/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Michael S. Lockett