Daniel Stafford

Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines (Echo 2/11), is a United States Marine Corps artillery unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Activated during World War II, the battalion provided critical fire support in key Pacific campaigns such as Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima. Throughout the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Echo 2/11 continued its tradition of excellence, delivering timely and accurate artillery fire in support of Marine infantry operations. In recent decades, the unit has deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, adapting to modern combat environments while upholding its legacy of service.

The **31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU)**, activated in 1967, is the United States Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, based out of Okinawa, Japan. Throughout its history, the 31st MEU has participated in numerous operations across the Indo-Pacific region, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and combat missions such as Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Renowned for its rapid-response capability, the unit frequently conducts training exercises with regional allies to strengthen partnerships and ensure regional security. Today, the 31st MEU remains a vital part of the U.S. military’s commitment to maintaining stability and readiness in the Asia-Pacific theater.