thedrifter
01-11-06, 07:12 AM
31st MEU closes out 2005
31st MEU
Story by: Cpl. Will Lathrop
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan(Jan 10, 2006) -- As the nation’s only permanently deployed Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 31st MEU found itself occupied with a myriad of different scenarios throughout 2005.
January found the Marines and sailors of the MEU’s 23rd Cycle in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province working, not only to provide stability in an unstable region, but also to provide security during Iraq’s first free democratic elections.
The MEU’s Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, set up security in the town of Hit during the elections. The MEU Service Support Group 31 worked at three separate polling stations inside and around Al Fallujah.
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced) spent their time in Iraq flying in support of the 3rd Marine Air Wing, flying assorted missions ranging from escort and surveillance to troop transport and resupply missions.
The MEU left Iraq in February, and after a brief stay in Camp Virginia, Kuwait, embarked aboard the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group for the float back to Okinawa.
A quick, four-day port call was made in Thailand, giving the Marines and sailors a taste of another Asian country.
The friends and families of the MEU gave them a very hearty welcome upon their return to Okinawa after a near eight-month deployment, at both White Beach and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
The turnover of units for the MEU’s subordinate elements began in May with BLT 1/3 being replaced by the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, and HMM-262 (Rein) taking over for HMM-265 (Rein).
The 24th Cycle began with acclimatization for the new arrivals, getting them used to the tropical climate of Okinawa. That training was coupled with interoperability training to get the different elements accustomed to working with each other in order to operate smoothly.
During this training, the MSSG rehearsed convoy security operations, non-combatant evacuation operations, and medical civic action projects, to name a few.
The BLT fine-tuned its helicopter-borne, mechanized, and amphibious assaults, as well as providing extra security for special missions.
The Aviation Combat Element, HMM-262 (Rein), flew in support of air operations involving the MSSG, the BLT, and the Command Element. A notable fact was their incident-free time spent on Okinawa.
The Command Element focused its efforts on practicing the Rapid Response Planning Process, a method which expedites the planning and execution of missions. In addition, the different sections of the Command Element trained for their particular mission roles by establishing communications within the other MEU elements, providing coordination between the BLT, MSSG, and the ACE, and supplying reconnaissance teams for certain missions.
All of this training was brought together during the Training in an Urban Environment Exercise conducted during the month of August. The TRUEX was part of the MEU’s advancement towards its Special Operations Capable certification.
September brought another step towards certification with the MEU Exercise. The threat of a super typhoon hitting Okinawa forced the MEU to relocate from Kin Blue to Camp Hansen, where the exercise continued as if it hadn’t been interrupted.
In between MEUEX and the next exercise, the MEU bid farewell to its sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. David Evans, and welcomed aboard Sgt. Maj. James McKay, formerly the Camp Hansen sergeant major.
But the highlights for many were Exercise Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (Fiscal Year) 2006, a series of joint military training evolutions involving the Philippine Marine Corps, the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force held during the bulk of October on the island of Luzon. Not only were military exercises practiced, but there were several community relations projects that contributed computers to schools and medical treatment to the Filipino citizens living near the exercise areas.
"I am most proud of the way the Marines and sailors worked so hard to open the door for future training opportunities in support of the Global War on Terror," said Col. Walter L. Miller, the MEU commanding officer. "The seamless integration of the Philippine Marines into the MEU throughout PHIBLEX-06 proved that they are our brothers in arms."
Since its return in the beginning of November, the service members of the MEU have spent their time catching up on basic Marine Corps skills such as the pistol range and the gas chamber. In addition, the majority of the Marines and sailors prepared to rotate back to their parent commands in Hawaii, California and Iwakuni, Japan.
"Throughout both cycles, the Marines and sailors performed a variety of complex missions flawlessly," said Miller. "Whether the unit was conducting nighttime raids on suspected insurgent hideouts in Iraq, seizing an airfield, or putting a new roof on a primary school in the Philippines, they stayed focused and intent on accomplishing their assigned tasks."
Miller added that he looks forward to the 25th Cycle, and has high expectations for how his Marines and sailors perform.
"I believe the 31st MEU's aggressive yet balanced approach to training and deploying will significantly enhance our ability to pursue the Global War on Terror in our area of operations in the years to come, and am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with such warriors as these in our ranks."
Ellie
31st MEU
Story by: Cpl. Will Lathrop
CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan(Jan 10, 2006) -- As the nation’s only permanently deployed Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 31st MEU found itself occupied with a myriad of different scenarios throughout 2005.
January found the Marines and sailors of the MEU’s 23rd Cycle in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province working, not only to provide stability in an unstable region, but also to provide security during Iraq’s first free democratic elections.
The MEU’s Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, set up security in the town of Hit during the elections. The MEU Service Support Group 31 worked at three separate polling stations inside and around Al Fallujah.
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced) spent their time in Iraq flying in support of the 3rd Marine Air Wing, flying assorted missions ranging from escort and surveillance to troop transport and resupply missions.
The MEU left Iraq in February, and after a brief stay in Camp Virginia, Kuwait, embarked aboard the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group for the float back to Okinawa.
A quick, four-day port call was made in Thailand, giving the Marines and sailors a taste of another Asian country.
The friends and families of the MEU gave them a very hearty welcome upon their return to Okinawa after a near eight-month deployment, at both White Beach and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
The turnover of units for the MEU’s subordinate elements began in May with BLT 1/3 being replaced by the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, and HMM-262 (Rein) taking over for HMM-265 (Rein).
The 24th Cycle began with acclimatization for the new arrivals, getting them used to the tropical climate of Okinawa. That training was coupled with interoperability training to get the different elements accustomed to working with each other in order to operate smoothly.
During this training, the MSSG rehearsed convoy security operations, non-combatant evacuation operations, and medical civic action projects, to name a few.
The BLT fine-tuned its helicopter-borne, mechanized, and amphibious assaults, as well as providing extra security for special missions.
The Aviation Combat Element, HMM-262 (Rein), flew in support of air operations involving the MSSG, the BLT, and the Command Element. A notable fact was their incident-free time spent on Okinawa.
The Command Element focused its efforts on practicing the Rapid Response Planning Process, a method which expedites the planning and execution of missions. In addition, the different sections of the Command Element trained for their particular mission roles by establishing communications within the other MEU elements, providing coordination between the BLT, MSSG, and the ACE, and supplying reconnaissance teams for certain missions.
All of this training was brought together during the Training in an Urban Environment Exercise conducted during the month of August. The TRUEX was part of the MEU’s advancement towards its Special Operations Capable certification.
September brought another step towards certification with the MEU Exercise. The threat of a super typhoon hitting Okinawa forced the MEU to relocate from Kin Blue to Camp Hansen, where the exercise continued as if it hadn’t been interrupted.
In between MEUEX and the next exercise, the MEU bid farewell to its sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. David Evans, and welcomed aboard Sgt. Maj. James McKay, formerly the Camp Hansen sergeant major.
But the highlights for many were Exercise Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (Fiscal Year) 2006, a series of joint military training evolutions involving the Philippine Marine Corps, the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force held during the bulk of October on the island of Luzon. Not only were military exercises practiced, but there were several community relations projects that contributed computers to schools and medical treatment to the Filipino citizens living near the exercise areas.
"I am most proud of the way the Marines and sailors worked so hard to open the door for future training opportunities in support of the Global War on Terror," said Col. Walter L. Miller, the MEU commanding officer. "The seamless integration of the Philippine Marines into the MEU throughout PHIBLEX-06 proved that they are our brothers in arms."
Since its return in the beginning of November, the service members of the MEU have spent their time catching up on basic Marine Corps skills such as the pistol range and the gas chamber. In addition, the majority of the Marines and sailors prepared to rotate back to their parent commands in Hawaii, California and Iwakuni, Japan.
"Throughout both cycles, the Marines and sailors performed a variety of complex missions flawlessly," said Miller. "Whether the unit was conducting nighttime raids on suspected insurgent hideouts in Iraq, seizing an airfield, or putting a new roof on a primary school in the Philippines, they stayed focused and intent on accomplishing their assigned tasks."
Miller added that he looks forward to the 25th Cycle, and has high expectations for how his Marines and sailors perform.
"I believe the 31st MEU's aggressive yet balanced approach to training and deploying will significantly enhance our ability to pursue the Global War on Terror in our area of operations in the years to come, and am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with such warriors as these in our ranks."
Ellie