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thedrifter
12-07-08, 08:13 AM
Cpl. Mera serving off Korean coast
Published: Dec 5th, 11:41 AM

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alan M. Mera, a 2007 graduate of Morristown High School, along with Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), III Marine Expeditionary Force, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan, is currently deployed with the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) in the 7th Fleet area of operations.

The 31st MEU recently concluded Korean Incremental Training Program 2009 (KITP 09) off the coast of Pohang, Republic of Korea (ROK).

KITP 09 is a five-day bilateral exercise conducted annually and designed to improve interoperability and combat readiness between U.S. and South Korea militaries as well as build upon the alliance between the two nations.

Training included amphibious beach landings, simulated air strikes, and beach support operations planned and executed by 31st MEU and Essex ESG commanders along with 1st ROK Marine Division and ROK Navy Amphibious Squadron 53 commanders.Prior to KITP 09, Marines and sailors from Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, teamed with members of the Philippine Armed Forces and Nurses Corps for the annual Exercise Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise 2009.

As part of the exercise, the service members provided medical and dental care, antibiotics, pharmaceutical medication, toothbrushes, toothpaste, juice and water to more than 900 locals during the first two days at Paaralang Elementary School at Barangay Manggang Marikit, Guimba, Republic of the Philippines.

The 31st MEU is the only permanently forward-deployed MEU, maintaining a constant presence in the Pacific Ocean as part of III Marine Expeditionary Force. USS Essex is the only forward-deployed U.S. multi-purpose amphibious assault ship and serves Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

Mera joined the Marine Corps in August 2007.

For more information on the 31st MEU, visit www.marines.

mil/ units/ marforpac/iiimef/31st meu/.

Ellie