2 US Soldiers Injured in Alaska Bear Attack During Training

The incident occurred at a military training area in Anchorage as soldiers were participating in a land navigation exercise.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:19am

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A dramatic landscape painting in the style of Caspar David Friedrich, depicting the rugged, snow-capped mountains of Alaska's Arctic Valley under a stormy sky. The scene conveys the overwhelming, sublime scale of the natural environment, with a small group of soldiers barely visible in the distance, dwarfed by the towering peaks and ominous weather.The vast, untamed wilderness of Alaska's military training grounds serves as a stark backdrop for the dangers soldiers face when operating in bear country.Anchorage Today

Two U.S. Army soldiers were injured after encountering a brown bear during a training exercise in Anchorage, Alaska. The soldiers used pepper spray on the bear, which the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is investigating as a 'defensive attack' by a bear that had recently emerged from its den. The soldiers received medical care, and the training area has been closed to recreational activity.

Why it matters

Bear encounters in Alaska, especially near military training areas, highlight the need for proper safety protocols and wildlife awareness when operating in remote, natural environments. This incident raises questions about how the military can better prepare soldiers for potential wildlife interactions during training exercises.

The details

The incident occurred on Thursday as the two soldiers were participating in a 'land navigation training event' in the Arctic Valley area of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson training grounds in Anchorage. Both soldiers used pepper spray on the bear, which the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is investigating as a 'defensive attack' by a bear that had recently emerged from its den.

  • The incident happened on Thursday, April 17, 2026.
  • The soldiers received medical care as of Friday, April 18, 2026.

The players

Lt. Col. Jo Nederhoed

A spokesperson for the U.S. Army 11th Airborne Division.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

The state agency investigating the bear attack as a 'defensive attack' by a bear that had recently emerged from its den.

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What they’re saying

“The safety and well-being of our personnel is our highest priority.”

— Lt. Col. Jo Nederhoed, Spokesperson, U.S. Army 11th Airborne Division

What’s next

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is collecting samples to positively identify the species and gender of the bear involved in the attack. The training area near where the incident occurred has been closed to recreational activity by base officials.

The takeaway

This bear attack highlights the need for the military to review its safety protocols and wildlife awareness training for soldiers conducting exercises in remote, natural environments like those found in Alaska. Proper preparation can help mitigate the risks of encounters with dangerous wildlife during training.