About this Unit
The 31st Marine Amphibious Unit (31st MAU), originally activated in March 1967, is a forward-deployed, rapid-response Marine Air-Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps. The unit played a pivotal role during the Vietnam War, conducting amphibious operations and contingency missions throughout the Western Pacific. In 1988, the 31st MAU was redesignated as the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), reflecting its enhanced capabilities and evolving mission set. Today, the 31st MEU remains the only continuously forward-deployed MEU, supporting U.S. interests and humanitarian assistance operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: The lineage of the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) traces back to World War II, with its heritage linked to the famous 1st Marine Division and various task organizations that fought in the Pacific.
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First Formed in 1977: The 31st MAU was officially formed on 24 March 1977 in Okinawa, Japan, making it the only continuously forward-deployed Marine expeditionary unit (MEU) in the world.
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Operation Frequent Wind: A precursor to the 31st MAU, Marines who would later serve in the unit were involved in the 1975 evacuation of Saigon, the largest helicopter evacuation in history.
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Vietnamese Boat People Rescue: In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the 31st MAU played a key humanitarian role rescuing Vietnamese refugees (the "boat people") fleeing by sea.
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Lebanon Peacekeeping: In 1982, the 31st MAU participated in the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon, supporting stability in the region.
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Transition to MEU: In 1988, the Marine Corps redesignated all Marine Amphibious Units (MAU) as Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU), and the 31st MAU became the 31st MEU, reflecting its broader capabilities.
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Operation Sea Angel, Bangladesh: In 1991, the 31st MEU conducted one of the largest disaster relief operations in history, providing aid after a devastating cyclone in Bangladesh.
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Operation Unified Assistance: The 31st MEU responded rapidly to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, becoming one of the first U.S. military units to deliver humanitarian aid to affected regions in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
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Permanently Forward-Deployed: The 31st MEU is the only MEU that is permanently forward-deployed, based in Okinawa, Japan, allowing for rapid crisis response throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
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Flexible Crisis Responder: The 31st MEU has participated in a diverse range of operations, from combat missions and evacuations to humanitarian and disaster response, reflecting its motto: "Ready, Relevant, Responsive, and Forward Deployed."
