On 12 September 2001 , which was 11 September on the East Coast , the Marines of the 31st MEU 's Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 5th Marines ( BLT 2/5 ) were secured in their barracks on Camp Hansen as a Super Typhoon was passing over Okinawa , Japan . Marines became aware of the September 11 attacks through the Armed Forces Network television and radio stations , and word quickly spread . That evening the 31st MEU received a 96-hour warning order for deployment and was notified that the Navy ships were en route to load as quickly as possible . Although the storm was still in progress , Marines prepared their personal gear , plans were made , and vehicles and equipment were quickly moved to the port facility and onto the ships . The helicopter squadron was the last to board due to the passing storm , and the on-load was successfully completed in 93 hours . The 31st MEU then steamed south towards their anticipated destination , Afghanistan . As the ships passed Singapore , their destination was changed to East Timor . There the MEU again supported UNTAET operations . It was later found out that the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit , just returning from a deployment to East Timor , was assigned the task of heading to Afghanistan
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit