Lance Cpl. Felix Ruiz, an A-gunner with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, prepares to load an 81mm mortar system at range W-174, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 19, 2017. BLT 1/1 is the Ground Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. During the training BLT 1/1 worked alongside the Aviation Combat Element, which provides assault transport, close air support and aviation command and control for the MEU. As the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide range of military operations. ( Marine Corps

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