2 Soldiers Injured in Alaska Bear Attack During Training

Military investigating 'defensive attack' by bear that recently emerged from den

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:55pm

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A dramatic, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of grey, white, and blue, depicting a snow-capped mountain range shrouded in heavy fog. In the foreground, the silhouettes of two small figures can be seen, dwarfed by the overwhelming scale of the natural environment.The rugged Alaskan wilderness poses constant challenges for military training operations, as evidenced by this recent bear encounter that left two soldiers injured.Anchorage Today

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

Why it matters

Encounters between humans and bears are an ongoing challenge in Alaska, where the military conducts extensive training operations in remote wilderness areas. This incident highlights the risks soldiers face and the need for continued vigilance and safety protocols when operating in bear country.

The details

The soldiers were participating in a 'land navigation training event' in the Arctic Valley area of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson training grounds when the bear encounter occurred. Few other details were provided, as the investigation is still ongoing. The base encompasses a large area within Anchorage where up to 350 black bears and 75 brown bears roam freely.

  • The incident happened on Thursday, 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. The training area near where the incident occurred has been closed to recreational activity by base officials.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges of managing human-bear interactions in Alaska, where military training operations and wildlife habitats overlap. It highlights the need for continued vigilance, safety protocols, and collaboration between the military and wildlife agencies to protect both personnel and the local bear population.