2013-11-29 U.S. Marine, Lt. Gen. John Wissler, III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, currently the commander for Joint Task Force 505 (JTF-505), greets Marines and sailors, with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) aboard the USS Ashland (LSD-48), Nov. 26, 2013.
Wissler informed the 31st MEU of their future role as the reserve component for JTF-505 and thanked them for their service in aiding the Philippines. The III MEB is moving from relief recovery and going back to Okinawa. The USS Ashland is part of the operational reserve for the 31st MEU.
The General highlighted the effective coordination between the USN-USMC team demonstrated in a real world event, the relief effort in the Philippines.
U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific maintains significant capability forward deployed throughout the Asian-Pacific ready to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
III MEF
11/26/13