Marines of 3rd platoon, Company G., Battalion Landing

Marines of 3rd platoon, Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to fly in a KC-130 en route to Darwin, Australia to participate in Exercise Hamel 2012, June 16. With the Marines' final destination in Rockhampton, they will work alongside the Australian Army and other defense personnel in the region during the month long exercise, supporting the certification training of the Australian Army's 1st Brigade. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the nation's force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.