A hospital corpsman with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd

A hospital corpsman with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, records a patient’s information on a blood bag label during a simulated helicopter raid at Ie Shima Training Facility, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 20, 2018. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted helicopter raid training to ensure readiness for crisis response throughout the Indo-Pacific Region. The BLT medical staff also practiced auto-transfusions, where a Marine plays the role of both donor and recipient, in preparation for emergency blood transfusions during contingencies in which casualty evacuation may be delayed. BLT 2/5, the Ground Combat Element of the 31st MEU, is an infantry battalion reinforced with light-armored vehicles, artillery, combat engineers, and assault amphibious vehicles. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. (This image has been altered using Adobe Photoshop) (U.S. Marine Corps illustration by Lance Cpl. Alexis B. Betances/Released)