U.S. Marines from the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), provided board, search, and seizure (VBSS) exercise at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, on December 12, 2024.
The exercise showcased the MEU’s readiness to execute maritime interception operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
VBSS is a critical component of maritime interception operations, designed to delay, disrupt, or destroy enemy forces or supplies in the maritime domain. This training is part of the 31st MEU’s ongoing efforts to maintain proficiency and enhance interoperability with partner nations in the region.
The ability to rapidly project force and conduct maritime operations is essential to ensuring security and stability in the Indo-Pacific amid regional tensions.
The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed Marine Expeditionary Unit and serves as a flexible and lethal force capable of conducting a variety of military operations. Its positioning in the Indo-Pacific allows it to respond swiftly to emerging threats and provide support to regional allies.
