By Sgt. Bryce R. Piper
31^st MEU Public Affairs

OFF THE COAST OF OKINAWA, Japan, (Oct 12, 2000) -- The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard the USS Essex (LHD-2) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG or Phibron 11) successfully completed its Special Operations Capable qualification Exercise (SOCEX) 2000 II Sunday.

            The exercise tests the MEU's ability to rapidly respond to multiple, consecutive and often simultaneous missions conducted over a short period of time.  It drives the MEU to utilize as many different aspects of a Marine's training as possible.  And it is one of the most intense, fast-paced unit training exercises offered in the Marine Corps.  The exercise tests all subordinate elements of the MEU, including Battalion Landing Team (BLT), the Air Combat Element (ACE), and MEU Service Support Group (MSSG), individually and as a whole.  The qualification ensures the MEU will continue its role as the Marine Corps' only permanently forward-based MEU.

            "The MEU performed extremely well," said LtCol. Joseph A. Andy of Special Operations Training Group, the unit that evaluates SOC qualification exercises.  "There is a strong Navy/Marine Team between the 31st MEU and Phibron 11.  This team's effectiveness was demonstrated many times during the SOCEX."

            "The most outstanding aspect of the Marines performance was their ability to learn, identify weaknesses and take corrective steps," Andy said.  "The Marines maintained situational awareness during the exercises and were able to accomplish all missions."

            Objectives the Marines were evaluated on included, but were not limited to, a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO), a mechanized raid, a boat raid, and an airfield seizure, according to Andy.  In addition, SOTG presented on-call challenges, including, but not limited to, Tactical Recoveries of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP), mass casualty drills, recovery of displaced American citizens, floating mines, and hostile water and aircraft, Andy said.  The Marines performed these missions in only a five-day period.

Though the Marine Corps' other six MEUs re-qualify as SOC every 18 months, the 31st MEU re-qualifies every six months as new Major Subordinate Elements rotate to the MEU.  This gives the Marines only 70 to 84 days to complete their qualification.

"The 31st MEU faces a unique challenge compared to other MEUs," said Andy.  "It has 84 days to accomplish a standard 6 month Pre-Deployment Training Cycle.  This means the members of the MEU, BLT, ACE, and MSSG staffs have to learn quickly and get it right the first time.  Time is not on their side and they must be able to identify and address issues quickly.  The fact the MEU is able to come together as a team in a very short amount of time and complete the Pre-Deployment Training Cycle properly is a credit to all its members," Andy said.

In July, a new Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (BLT 2/4), rotated to the MEU and assumed role as the MEU's Ground Combat Element.  The ACE, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, and MSSG-31, performed exceptionally in March's SOCEX, but like all Marine units, have undergone some personnel turnover since.

On top of frequent individual-unit training, the MEU conducted several exercises leading to SOCEX.  In January, the MEU conducted Training in an Urban Environment Exercise 2000 in Guam and Saipan.  Then, starting in February, the MEU held two separate MEU Exercises, MEUEX I and II, during which the Marines conducted a NEO exercise, numerous amphibious landings, TRAPs, and Visit Board Search and Seizure exercises.

            Again officially SOC qualified as of October, the Marines and Sailors of the MEU and ARG steam toward Sasebo, Japan, for a few days liberty.  They plan on participating in Exercise Foal Eagle in the Republic of Korea later this month and plan a port visit to Hong Kong before returning to Okinawa in mid-November.