USS ESSEX, Guam - The Forward-Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) arrived in Guam Jan. 24 to complete the transport of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) for Training in an Urban Environment Exercise (TRUEX), to be held in various locations on the island.

The Sasebo-based ARG, consisting of USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Juneau (LPD 10) and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), offloaded the 31st MEU Marines successfully using various ship-to-shore assets such as Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs), Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRCs), Landing Craft Utility (LCUs) and Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCACs). Aircraft assets from the embarked Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced) and the MEU’s Aviation Combat Element (ACE) were also vital in executing the off load.

The 31st MEU Marines embarked the Forward Deployed ARG Jan. 21 at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan.

“Getting the Marines to the fight and supporting them once they are there is the mission of the amphibious force, ” said Capt. Mark E. Donahue, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 11, the Task Group Commander of the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group based out of Sasebo, Japan. “The expertise and hard work of our Naval Beach Group assets from Assault Craft Unit 1, Assault Craft Unit 5 and Beachmaster Unit 1 was critical to the success of the offload and will go far in enabling success as the Marines embark on their two-week training exercise ashore in Guam.”

Marine Col. Lee Miller, commanding officer 31st MEU echoed these sentiments.

“We accomplished some great Blue-Green training during our transit from White Beach to Guam, and the offload was safe and efficient," he said. "During the next couple of weeks in the superb training areas on Guam, we will prepare ourselves for future commitments in the Pacific region.”

While in Guam, the forward-deployed ARG Sailors will have the opportunity to participate in many water-oriented sports and enjoy the tropical climate of Guam. Sailors also have the opportunity to participate in friendship events and community service projects.

For this port visit, ARG ships are placing special emphasis on positive conduct while on liberty. Before giving the ‘liberty call,’ Juneau held a special ‘Right Spirit’ standdown, in which alcohol consumption was directly addressed. To promote positive behavior, Juneau gave away a total of 26 Morale, Welfare and Recreation trips to Sailors who were active participants in the ‘Right Spirit’ discussion.

“We want to send a message of not drinking or at least drinking responsibly,” said Juneau Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Paul Kingsbury. “I think that when these Sailors hear it from many different sources — from me, the commanding officer, from their leading chief petty officers and even Sailors in their pay grade - it does make a difference to curb irresponsible activity on liberty.”

The Forward Deployed ARG is part of Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force, which is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.