A Marine with Battery L, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Royal Thai Marine load a round into an M777A2 Ultra Light Weight Howitzer here during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, Feb. 14. The Marines were firing in preparation for the 31st MEU’s upcoming Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.