Colonel John E. Merna, the commanding officer of the

Colonel John E. Merna, the commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Prince George County, Md., thanks the Aboriginal landowners for sharing stories of their culture during a visit to Exercise Koolendong 13 here, Sept. 2. The 31st MEU moved a battalion-sized force more than 300 miles inland to conduct a live-fire training exercise. Also participating in the exercise is the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin and soldiers of the 5th Royal Australian Army. The exercise reinforces why the 31st MEU is the force of choice for the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU brings what it needs to sustain itself to accomplish the mission or to pave the way for follow-on forces.