Two U.S. Soldiers Attacked By Bear During Training Exercise In Alaska

We always hear the United States biggest threat is the “enemy within,” but for two soldiers in Alaska, the enemy within was a bear.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Army has reported that two soldiers participating in a training exercise in Alaska were attacked by a bear.

The attack occurred at a U.S. Army training area in Anchorage.

Fox News broke the story and provided details on the current status of the soldiers:

Two U.S. Army soldiers were injured after being attacked by a brown bear during a training exercise in Alaska, a report said.

The troops from the 11th Airborne Division were hurt Thursday while participating in a “land navigation training event” at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s Arctic Valley training area in Anchorage, Lt. Col. Jo Nederhoed, a spokesperson for the division, told the Anchorage Daily News.

“The safety and well-being of our personnel is our highest priority,” Nederhoed added. “The incident is under investigation, and we are coordinating with local wildlife authorities to ensure the safety of all personnel in the area.”

The soldiers, whose identities were being withheld pending notification of their families, were “receiving appropriate medical care” as of Friday morning, Nederhoed added.

Military reporter Brodie K. reported the soldiers used bear spray to fend off the bear:

The US Army’s 11th Airborne Division confirms that two of its soldiers from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska were injured in a brown bear attack on Friday. The soldiers were conducting a land navigation exercise and used bear spray during the attack. pic.twitter.com/DJKyFflVlZ

— Brodie K. – Analyze & Educate (@AnalyzeEducate) April 18, 2026

Last year, USA Today reported a woman in Anchorage was hospitalized after being attacked during her morning jog:

A woman was hospitalized after being attacked by a bear during a morning jog in Alaska, according to officials.

The encounter happened in the city of Kenai when the 36-year-old left her home just before 6 a.m. on Aug. 26, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

The animal attacked the woman near her driveway, the agency said. Speaking to KTUU, Alaska Wildlife Trooper David Lorring said that she was “dragged approximately 100 yards down the road.”

ADVERTISEMENT

She was found by her neighbor and transported to a hospital in Anchorage with “serious injuries,” authorities said. Lorring said the woman had wounds on her face and scalp, the news outlet reported.

The Alaska Department of Public Safety told USA TODAY on Friday, Aug. 29, that the victim remains in critical condition. Her identity was not made public.

Alaska averages nearly four hospitalizations per year due to bear attacks.

Any thoughts?