About this Unit
Combat Logistics Battalion 31 (CLB-31) is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps and serves as the logistics combat element for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), based in Okinawa, Japan. Established to provide comprehensive logistical support—including supply, maintenance, transportation, and health services—CLB-31 enables the 31st MEU to conduct amphibious and expeditionary operations throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The battalion has supported numerous humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, such as responses to typhoons and earthquakes in the Asia-Pacific. Renowned for its flexibility and rapid response capabilities, CLB-31 remains a vital component in maintaining regional stability and supporting U.S. interests abroad.
Historical Facts
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Origins and Mission: Combat Logistics Battalion 31 (CLB-31) is the logistics combat element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), providing supply, maintenance, and transportation support since its activation.
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Pacific Focus: CLB-31 is the only permanently forward-deployed logistics battalion in the United States Marine Corps, based out of Okinawa, Japan, allowing rapid response throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
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Humanitarian Assistance: CLB-31 has played pivotal roles in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, including Operation Unified Assistance after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Operation Tomodachi following the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami.
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Amphibious Operations: The battalion regularly embarks on Navy amphibious ships with the 31st MEU, supporting ship-to-shore movement and sustainment of Marine forces during exercises and real-world operations.
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Rapid Deployment: CLB-31 can deploy on short notice, often within 96 hours, exemplifying the Marine Corps’ expeditionary and quick-response ethos.
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Multinational Exercises: The unit participates in frequent multinational exercises such as Talisman Saber (Australia), Cobra Gold (Thailand), and Balikatan (Philippines) to foster interoperability with allied forces.
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Dynamic Structure: CLB-31 is a task-organized unit, meaning its structure and composition are tailored to the specific mission requirements of each 31st MEU deployment.
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Innovative Logistics: The battalion has pioneered use of new technology and logistics concepts, such as the employment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for supply drops and reconnaissance in support of distributed operations.
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Legacy of Support: CLB-31 traces its lineage back to earlier logistics units that served during the Vietnam War and has a long tradition of supporting Marine infantry in combat and crisis response.
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Decorations and Recognition: Over the years, CLB-31 has received multiple awards for its service, including unit commendations for outstanding performance during both combat and humanitarian missions.
