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Video by Sgt. Jonathan Wright

Three years later: 31st MEU Remembers Operation Tomodachi - One minute spot version

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

March 11, 2014 | 0:56

The Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Amphibious Squadron-11 and USS Bonhomme Richard held a moment of silence ceremony to honor the victims of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that ravaged the Honshu region of Japan in March of 2011. Three years ago, the MEU/PHIBRON team was one of the first units to respond to the disaster during Operation Tomodachi. On March 11, the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group was recalled to onload Marines and helicopters to support relief efforts, marking the start of a United States Forces Japan mobilization to aid in the Kesennuma and Oshima Island areas. Additionally, the current ground combat element of the 31st MEU, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, was attached to the MEU three years ago during Operation Tomodachi. Also available in high definition.