Two United States Army soldiers sustained injuries Thursday after encountering a brown bear during a training exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, military officials confirmed Friday.
The incident occurred as the soldiers participated in a land navigation training event in Arctic Valley, a mountainous area within the base’s extensive training grounds. Both service members deployed pepper spray against the bear during the encounter, according to military officials familiar with the incident.
As of Friday, the injured soldiers were receiving medical treatment at military facilities. Their conditions have not been disclosed to the public, pending notification of family members. The Army has withheld the soldiers’ names and the specific nature of their injuries while the investigation proceeds.
Lt. Col. Jo Nederhoed, spokesperson for the U.S. Army 11th Airborne Division, emphasized the military’s commitment to personnel safety in a statement released Friday. “The safety and well-being of our personnel is our highest priority,” Nederhoed stated. “The incident is under investigation, and we are coordinating with local wildlife authorities to ensure the safety of all personnel in the area.”
The encounter underscores the unique challenges facing military personnel training in Alaska’s wilderness environment. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson encompasses approximately 100 square miles within the Municipality of Anchorage, territory that serves as habitat for an estimated 350 black bears and 75 brown bears that roam freely throughout the region.
Brown bears, also known as grizzly bears in interior Alaska, can weigh between 400 and 790 pounds and stand up to seven feet tall when upright. These apex predators are particularly active during spring and summer months as they emerge from hibernation and forage for food.
Military training in Alaska routinely requires personnel to operate in areas where wildlife encounters remain a constant possibility. Service members stationed at northern bases typically receive specialized training on wildlife awareness and safety protocols, including proper use of bear deterrents such as pepper spray.
The investigation into Thursday’s incident continues, with military officials working alongside local wildlife authorities to determine the circumstances that led to the encounter and to assess whether additional safety measures are warranted for future training operations in the area.
This incident serves as a reminder of the demanding conditions under which American service members train to maintain readiness. The soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division, stationed in Alaska, regularly conduct operations in some of the most challenging terrain and climate conditions found anywhere in the United States military’s global footprint.
Further details regarding the incident are expected to be released as the investigation concludes and after appropriate notifications to the soldiers’ families have been completed.
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