by Nick Delgado

Guam - As Valiant Shield begins to wrap up next week, another exercise kicks off as approximately 2,200 Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit will conduct readiness training on island starting next Tuesday through the 25th.

Some of the operations which will be conducted on military property include several ships to shore exercises, various raids, humanitarian aid and disaster relief and other combat service support operations. Joining the 31st MEU will be a platoon size element of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers.

The joint exercise follows a meeting between the U.S. and Japanese governments in April, which called for more bilateral security and defense cooperation, strengthening interoperability between the U.S. and Japan forces.