Combat Logistics Battalion 31


Combat Logistics Battalion 31 is a logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps. CLB-31 is the Logistics Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the only continuously forward-deployed MEU in the Marine Corps.
As the Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 31 provides all elements of the MEU with combat service support. To do this, CLB-31 comprises a Headquarters, a Motor Transport Platoon, Engineer Platoon, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon, Maintenance Platoon, Supply Platoon, Military Police Platoon, Landing Support Platoon, Communications Platoon and its Health Service Support. Additionally, CLB-31 provides the 31st MEU with ammunition, postal and disbursing services.
Although CLB-31 is assigned to the 3rd Marine Logistics Group, the battalion remains permanently assigned to the 31st MEU. CLB-31 is based on Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan.

Mission

Provide ground combat service support to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to conduct special operations as directed and to act as the nucleus for expanded combat service support operations.

Atlas Battalion

In ancient Greek mythology, Atlas was the primordial Titan who held up the celestial spheres. His burden, according to myth, would be to forever carry the weight of the universe on his shoulders. Atlas represents the spirit of a battalion that keeps the rest of the effort moving forward.

CLB-31 adopted the title of Atlas Battalion in June 2012; Like Atlas, CLB-31 upholds, supports, and gives enduring sustainment to the 31st MEU. As one of the most constantly deployed battalions and the Combat Service Support for the only continually forward-deployed MEU in the Marine Corps, CLB-31 continually earns the title "Atlas Battalion".

Staff and Platoons

In addition to direct logistics support the attached Battalion Landing Team and general logistics support to the 31st MEU, CLB-31 is tasked with three special capabilities as part of the Maritime Contingency Force:
Though the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit had been with logisticians since inception, Combat Logistics Battalion 31 traces its lineage to the activation of Logistics Support Unit 31, 31st Marine Amphibious Unit, Fleet Marine Forces Pacific on 15 June 1979 at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The unit was re-designated 17 October 1979 as Marine Amphibious Unit Service Support Group 31, 31st Marine Amphibious Unit.
MSSG-31 was deactivated with the other elements of the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit in Spring 1985.
The staff nucleus of the unit was activated in May 1992, and with the augmentation of personnel and sourcing of equipment from the 3rd Force Service Support Group, the newly re-established Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 31 was operational by the end of the year. MSSG-31 was officially reactivated on 1 August 1992 at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan; without a break, the MSSG/CLB has participated in every operation with the 31st MEU since that time.
″There were times when we almost ran out of supplies, and we'd have to get on the radio and call out to RCT-7 – or if they didn't respond, to MSSG-31, the MEU Service Support Group, who never let us down – for another corpsman or more bandages, Ace wraps, or Mylar space blankets, to keep the casualties from losing heat. It was truly hell...″