CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan (December 19, 2008)—  The Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted a mixture of exercises and operations as they patrolled the Asia-Pacific region during 2008. 

After several arduous weeks of “work-ups” and pre-deployment training on Okinawa, the MEU embarked on its annual Spring Patrol and Fall Patrol of the Asia-Pacific theater while embarked aboard the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group comprised of the forward-deployed USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), USS Juneau (LPD 10) and the USS Denver (LPD 9). (Official Marine Corps photos.)(Full Story)

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan (December 18, 2008)—   Sgt. Jason A. Thompson (far right), platoon sergeant, Kilo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, marches his platoon, Dec. 17, during the Commander’s Cup Drill Competition for Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines hosted at the 3/12 motor pool compound.  Thompson earned the award for “The Highest Scoring Unit Leader” and his platoon was awarded “The Overall Best Marching Unit.” According to 1st Sgt. Carlos J. Sanchez, company first sergeant, Headquarters and Service Company, “The cornerstones of Marine Corps customs, courtesies and traditions are our execution of close-order drill and ceremonies.”  He also added that these traditions are perpetuated from one generation to the next through constant use and practice.  He concluded by saying “The esprit de corps of every Marine has been brought about by their ever-present feeling of pride, not only in their unit, but also in themselves. Today, close order drill remains the one foundation of discipline, esprit de corps, and one of the finest methods for developing confidence and troop leading abilities in our subordinate leaders.”(Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Spinella) (MEU Photo Gallery) (Stars and Stripes Story Link)

AIBANO TRAINING AREA, Mainland Japan (December 15, 2008) –  I traveled to mainland Japan last Thursday and Friday to visit Marines from Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/1 who were participating in Exercise Forest Light, a bilateral training exercise with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. The exercise was conducted at the Aibano Training Area in western Honshu near the city of Takashima.  The Aibano Training Area is in a remote, mountainous section of Honshu that reminded me a lot of the mountains in western Maine. It had been quite cold earlier in the week with some light snow and cold rain but while I was there the low temperatures were in the upper 40's.  (Courtesy photo by Sergeant First Class Toyohara) (Full CMDRs Post) 

OKINAWA, Japan (December 8, 2008) – Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit gathered at the Camp Hansen USO, to enjoy some good food and each others company during a MEU wide Christmas picnic.  The 31st MEU took the day to relax and enjoy food, volleyball and door prizes to celebrate the upcoming Christmas Holidays and a successful wrap up of their annual fall patrol.(Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Wicks) (MEU Photo Gallery)