“Dragons” of the 31st MEU fly aboard USS Essex

USS ESSEX, OKINAWA, Japan -A Sailor with Amphibious Squadron 11 guides an AH-1W Cobra helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, onto the flight deck of USS Essex (LHD 2), Sept. 28. The squadron flew onto USS Essex (LHD 2), joining the MEU for the deployment and upcoming certification exercises around Okinawa. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation’s force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 9/28/2011 7:36 AM