31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

📍Shoal Water Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia, July 4, 2025.

U.S. Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a mechanized patrol on Light Armored Vehicles during a force-on-force exercise. Marines participated in this training to refine their lethality and interoperability against one another. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Marine Corps 📸 by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla)

Defence Australia U.S. Embassy Australia
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) NATO

📍Glen Airfield, Queensland, Australia, July 2-7, 2025.

U.S. Marines with Animal Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, coordinate tactical efforts to seize objectives during a simulated assault and seizure at Glen Airfield, Queensland, Australia, July 2-7, 2025. Marines capture and control objectives to enable future MEU operations, such as a forward arming and refueling point on the airfield. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Marine Corps 📸 by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrola)

Defence Australia U.S. Embassy Australia
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) NATO

📍Coral Sea, July 7, 2025.

U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, search the vessel during a visit, board, search, and seizure exercise aboard the Lewis B. Puller-Class Expeditionary Mobile Base USS John L. Canley (ESB 6). VBSS is part of the maritime interception operations that aim to delay, disrupt, or destroy enemy forces or supplies in the maritime domain. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Marine Corps 📸 by Cpl. Alora Finigan)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command NATO
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

📍Sam Hill Airfield, Queensland, Australia, July 1, 2025.

U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct platoon level coordination on the objective during a limited scale raid exercise. Following a ship-to-shore insert, the Marines conducted the limited scale raid night exercise to demonstrate operational proficiency. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Marine Corps 📸 by Cpl. Alora Finigan)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

📍Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia, June 23, 2025.

U.S. Marines with Animal Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire various weapon systems during a live-fire platoon attack exercise. Marines participated in training that showcased a high degree of tactical proficiency and lethal firepower, reinforcing their combat readiness through realistic scenario-based training. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Marine Corps 📸 by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrola)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

📍Coral Sea, June 26, 2025.

U.S. Marine Corps aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). Marines with the 31st MEU executed integrated operations to enhance lethality, readiness, and interoperability by conducting multiple mission sets simultaneously. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Marine Corps 📸 by Gunnery Sgt. Devin Nichols)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

📍Coral Sea, June 25, 2025.

U.S. Marines with Baker Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, board the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22) utilizing the Enhanced Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft during launch and recovery drills. Marines conducted launch and recovery drills to improve amphibious raid capabilities and sustain small boat skills. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Marine Corps 📸 by Lance Cpl. Trevor BishopWilliams)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

📍Sam Hill Airfield, Queensland, Australia, June 21, 2025.

U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, clear a building during a limited-scale raid exercise. Following a ship-to-shore insert, the Marines conducted a limited-scale raid night exercise in a contaminated environment to demonstrate operational proficiency in complex conditions and enhance readiness for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threat scenarios. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Marine Corps 📸 by Cpl. Alora Finigan)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

📍Sam Hill Airfield, Queensland, Australia, June 20, 2025.

U.S. Marines with Chemical, Biological, Radiological, And Nuclear Response Element, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct sensitive site assessment and exploitation training and simulated casualty decontamination procedures during a CRE exercise. The Marines conducted response in a simulated unknown hazardous environment to verify the extent of the hazard, identify the materials, and provide updates to protect the force. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Marine Corps 📸 by Cpl. Alora Finigan)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

📍Coral Sea, June 21, 2025.

U.S. Marines with Animal Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, embark MV-22B Osprey and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Rein.), during flight operations aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). Marines with VMM 265 (Rein.) conduct flight operations consisting of MV-22B Osprey and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, demonstrating multi-domain transport capabilities of the 31st MEU. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Marine Corps 📸 by Sgt. Peter Rawlins)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

📍Coral Sea, June 19, 2025.

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, taxis on the flight deck during flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). Marine F-35Bs bring a 5th generation multi-discipline strike capability to support combined-joint all domain operations in key maritime terrain. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Marine Corps 📸 by Lance Cpl. Gerardo Mendez)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)