Two soldiers were injured during a training exercise in Alaska last week, according to state wildlife officials.
The incident unfolded in a remote stretch of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson during a land navigation drill and prompted an area closure as investigators pursue what wildlife authorities describe as “a defense attack by a bear recently emerged from a den.”
Wildlife officials say the injuries were not life threatening and that the soldiers lived, crediting bear spray with helping them reach safety after the encounter.
In a statement, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said it would continue examining the circumstances that led to the attack to increase public safety around wildlife in Alaska.
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The department’s regional supervisor, Cyndi Wardlow, added that “in this case, having bear spray with them in the field may have saved their lives.”
Initial reports had suggested the animal might be a brown bear, but investigators are collecting and analyzing samples from the scene to determine species and gender, and to see if the animal matches other samples on file.
First responders who arrived on the scene did not sight any bears.
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A soldier who died in 2022 from a bear attack near the same base underscores the ongoing risk associated with Alaska’s wilderness, even during routine training. The new incident, though different in scale, reinforces that warning.
By April 17—the day after the encounter—the department said the bear had not been located, and officials cautioned that the rural setting reduced the immediate risk to the general public.
Officials noted that bear encounters and attacks tend to rise as temperatures warm across the state, urging trainers and outdoor workers to carry deterrents like bear spray and to stay alert for changes in wildlife behavior.
The guidance reflects a broader emphasis on preparedness for those who operate in remote terrain, whether in training or in public service.
Area managers closed the training sector until investigators complete their work and determine practical steps to improve safety on future exercises.
Fish and Game said it would continue evaluating data from the scene and coordinate with base leadership about safety protocols and wildlife-aware procedures.
Officials also stressed that the public should remain vigilant in wilderness areas where bear activity is on the rise.
Although the origin of the attack remains under review, the episode serves as a stark reminder of how powerful Alaska’s wildlife can be.
Officials highlighted the importance of carrying bear deterrents when operating away from populated areas, especially during warmer months when bear activity increases.
As investigators sift through evidence, the aim is to prevent future episodes and safeguard those who train and work in remote settings.
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