ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A pair of U.S. Army personnel sustained injuries following a dangerous encounter with a brown bear while conducting military training exercises in Alaska’s mountainous terrain, according to military officials who announced the incident on Friday.
The bear attack occurred on Thursday while the service members were taking part in navigation training exercises within Arctic Valley, located in the training grounds of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
As of Friday, both injured soldiers were receiving medical treatment, according to a military representative who spoke with the Anchorage Daily News. Attempts by The Associated Press to reach base communications staff went unanswered on Friday.
Military officials have not disclosed the extent of the soldiers’ injuries while they work to contact family members.
During the dangerous encounter, both service members deployed pepper spray against the bear, the official confirmed. Additional information about the incident remains limited as investigators continue their work.
“The safety and well-being of our personnel is our highest priority,” Lt. Col. Jo Nederhoed, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army 11th Airborne Division, said in an email to the Anchorage Daily News.
“The incident is under investigation, and we are coordinating with local wildlife authorities to ensure the safety of all personnel in the area,” she said.
The military installation spans 100 square miles within Anchorage’s municipal boundaries, serving as habitat for an estimated 350 black bears and 75 brown bears that move freely throughout the region.
