Over the span of two intense weeks, more than 2,400 U.S. Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) concluded a Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (MEUEX) designed to sharpen their edge ahead of an upcoming deployment across the Indo-Pacific. From April 28 to May 9, sprawling training grounds across Okinawa served as the stage for integrated, high-fidelity scenarios ranging from amphibious assaults to humanitarian operations—all under the banner of warfighting readiness.
At the center of this rigorous training was a simple but sobering mantra: be ready for the “first night of the war.”
“MEUEX is two weeks of Marine Air-Ground Task Force integration training,” said Colonel Chris P. Niedziocha, the commanding officer of the 31st MEU. “This generates readiness and prepares us to embark on the ships of the amphibious ready group, where we do it again—this time with the Navy. The ultimate goal is what I like to call ‘first night of the war’ readiness.”
This latest MEUEX was not just another exercise—it was a milestone for the MEU, marked by the integration of cutting-edge technologies and updated strategic concepts suited for modern conflict, especially in the increasingly tense Indo-Pacific theater.
The MEUEX involved simulated contingency operations that spanned the entire spectrum of modern military missions. These included personnel recovery, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HA/DR), responses to chemical and biological threats, and precision maritime strike exercises.
Every Marine and sailor participated in these evolving scenarios, which were crafted to reflect the kinds of challenges the unit could face in real-world deployments—whether responding to natural disasters, countering piracy, or deploying in high-threat environments under contested conditions.
“It’s a very comprehensive exercise,” explained Major James J. Hurton, operations officer for the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. “We go through everything from combat operations to non-combatant evacuations. It’s realistic, stressful, and built to keep us lethal and responsive. The MEU is ready to respond to any crisis or conflict when called upon.”
Hurton added that the rigorous nature of the training doesn’t just test equipment and plans—it forges the cohesion needed to execute under pressure. “This isn’t just about drills. It’s about building trust in each other. When the call comes, there’s no time for second-guessing.”
One of the most significant advancements in this MEUEX was the deployment and testing of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)—a modern replacement for the aging Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) fleet that had served for decades.
According to BAE Systems, which manufactures the ACV, the new vehicle offers greatly improved protection, advanced sensors, and modularity for future tech integrations, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS), electronic warfare, and reconnaissance capabilities.
Lt. Gen. Roger B. Turner, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), stressed the importance of the ACV in adapting to the modern battlefield: “The ACV is not just a new vehicle. It’s a shift in capability. It enhances our survivability and maneuverability across the sea-land interface and expands how we conduct sea denial and maritime operations.”
The vehicle’s performance during the MEUEX was closely observed as Marines tested its ship-to-shore capabilities, amphibious landings, and mobility in complex terrain.
For many Marines, the ACV isn’t just a technical upgrade—it represents a new way of fighting. “It gives us options we didn’t have before,” said Cpl. Jaylen Morales, an ACV crew member. “We can move faster, hit harder, and stay safer doing it.”
Beyond technical upgrades and tactical drills, the MEUEX carries broader implications for U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific—a region defined by competing spheres of influence, contested maritime zones, and the growing strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China.
The 31st MEU, headquartered in Okinawa, is uniquely positioned as the only continuously forward-deployed MEU in the world. It serves as a quick-response force capable of operating across vast distances, whether in peacetime engagements or combat operations.
“The 31st MEU is the tip of the spear,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Harold R. River. “Our job is to be prepared and ready to fight. We live in the forward area. We’re already where things happen.”
The unit’s forward presence, combined with the ability to integrate with allied forces and operate in austere environments, is a cornerstone of the U.S. posture in the region. Whether it’s a typhoon in the Philippines or a show of force in the South China Sea, the 31st MEU is often the first to respond.
According to regional analysts, exercises like MEUEX serve a dual purpose: readiness and signaling.
“MEUEX sends a message,” said Dr. Rachel Kim, a defense analyst based in Tokyo. “It shows regional partners that the U.S. is serious about maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific—and it shows potential adversaries that the Marines aren’t just talking about being ready; they’re proving it.”
While strategy and hardware often dominate the headlines, the heart of the MEUEX is the human element. For junior Marines experiencing their first major field operation, the two-week exercise was a steep but valuable learning curve.
Lance Cpl. Malik Jennings, a radio operator with the MEU’s command element, said the exercise helped him understand the broader mission.
“I saw how everyone fits together—the aviation, the ground side, logistics, intel,” Jennings said. “It’s not just my little piece. It’s this big machine, and we all have to do our jobs or the whole thing slows down.”
Maj. Michael P. Monaghan, assistant operations officer, echoed that sentiment. “We are a unit that focuses on the inches and seconds,” he said. “Everything we do is about precision, timing, and execution under pressure. The enemy gets a vote. We need to be better, faster, and more cohesive every single day.”
With MEUEX complete, the 31st MEU now turns its attention to its next major milestone—embarkation with the amphibious ready group and full-scale integration with the Navy. This next phase will test the full naval expeditionary team in dynamic maritime environments, including at-sea operations, joint planning, and integrated fires.
In the months ahead, the unit is expected to participate in regional exercises, maritime patrols, and partner-nation training opportunities, all reinforcing the U.S. commitment to security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
For Col. Niedziocha and the Marines under his command, the mission is clear: remain ready, remain forward, and remain lethal.
“We don’t get ready when the crisis hits,” Niedziocha said. “We’re already ready.”
Sidebar: What Is the 31st MEU?
Location: Forward-deployed to Okinawa, Japan
Composition: Roughly 2,400 Marines and sailors
Components:
Command Element
Ground Combat Element (usually an infantry battalion)
Aviation Combat Element (rotary and fixed-wing aircraft)
Logistics Combat Element (sustainment and engineering)
Mission: Rapid-response capability across the Indo-Pacific region
Recent Operations: Disaster relief, maritime security, training with allies, and forward deterrence missions
