Two Soldiers Injured in Bear Attack During Alaska Training

Two U.S. Army soldiers based in Alaska sustained injuries Thursday after an encounter with a brown bear during a training exercise in a mountainous area near Anchorage. The incident occurred in Arctic Valley, a section of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson training grounds, as the soldiers participated in a land navigation event.

Military officials confirmed the details Friday, stating that both soldiers received prompt medical attention following the attack. Their conditions have not been publicly disclosed, pending notification of family members. According to a base spokesperson, the soldiers deployed pepper spray in an attempt to deter the bear, though further specifics about the sequence of events remain limited as the matter is under active investigation.

"The safety and well-being of our personnel is our highest priority," Lt. Col. Jo Nederhoed, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army's 11th Airborne Division, said in a statement. She added that the base is coordinating with local wildlife authorities to assess risks and protect personnel in the vicinity.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson spans approximately 100 square miles within the Anchorage municipality, an expansive region...