Two soldiers wounded in a bear attack in Alaska

[Talyn]

The soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division encountered a brown bear while doing land navigation training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Two soldiers are recovering after a bear attacked and injured them during training in Alaska.

The two soldiers, assigned to the Army’s 11th Airborne Division, were carrying out land navigation training on Thursday, April 16, when they encountered a bear on the grounds of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The two were attacked and used bear spray to fight off and eventually repel the bear.

Both the Army and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are investigating the attack. The 11th Airborne Division confirmed to Task & Purpose that both soldiers sustained injuries, but declined to give further details about their conditions or the extent of their wounds. It also did not share other specifics about the incident, citing privacy matters.

Two soldiers wounded in a bear attack in Alaska

The soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division were hurt but managed to fight off the brown bear using bear spray.

taskandpurpose.com

2 JBER soldiers injured in bear attack during Arctic Valley exercise

Both 11th Airborne Division soldiers were carrying and used bear spray during Thursday’s incident, officials said.

www.adn.com

Fort Richardson, part of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, is seen from Arctic Valley Road among fall foliage on Sept. 21, 2022. Mount Susitna, also known as Sleeping Lady, is in the background. (Emily Mesner/ADN)

 

[Grayfox]

Of all the things that a soldier might encounter, I'd think bears would be near the bottom of the list. YIKES!

 

[Shibadog]

Of all the things that a soldier might encounter, I'd think bears would be near the bottom of the list. YIKES!

Not in Alaska.

 

[KillerFord1977]

Land navigation course with hostiles built in !
At least they had bear spray

 

[powerboatr]

Land navigation course with hostiles built in !
At least they had bear spray

yup four legged furry fast hostiles

they ain't no poo bears

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

Well SE Asia would have lots of dangerous critters to deal with and with 2 legged 1's to watch out for to boot

 

[NMEDGE]

When I was stationed at Elmendorf AFB we used to have problems with black bears. If you left food in a vehicle they would break into it. They also would drink cans of hydraulic fluid or engine oil. The worst place would be the inflight kitchen. When we had to go pickup box meals they would be waiting for you to come out of the building and they could run fast.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

Just another fallacy that soldiers are always armed. Field Training is/was at best with blanks; but for a map recon we probably wouldnt have had any weapons. It does seem like a head scratcher for troops in Bear country.

I wonder now who the Base Commander is blaming; because it surely couldnt be his fault

 

[Shibadog]

Just another fallacy that soldiers are always armed. Field Training is/was at best with blanks; but for a map recon we probably wouldnt have had any weapons. It does seem like a head scratcher for troops in Bear country.

I wonder now who the Base Commander is blaming; because it surely couldnt be his fault

There is that. You’d think, in that part of the world, a nice military shotgun with slugs would be part of the standard equipment. (I sure as heck wouldn’t want to try and stop one with a 9mm or a 5.56 poodleshooter

 

[PieterCoetzee]

I sure as heck wouldn’t want to try and stop one with a 9mm or a 5.56 poodleshooter

They wouldnt be my first choice for hunting but Im thinking a couple mags dumps with either would say "go away please" to Mr Bruin

 

[Retired Bum]

I don't believe the military is void of a 505 Gibbs!

 

[Shibadog]

They wouldnt be my first choice for hunting but Im thinking a couple mags dumps with either would say "go away please" to Mr Bruin

Only problem is convincing the bear to stay still while you dump a mag. I’ll take a 12 bore with slugs or a 45/70 GuideGun.

 

[Tangof1!]

Bear Spray works on Black Bear, I used it twice. My Son was backing me with a M-1 Garand once and with a 12 Gauge Pump the second ti

me.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

Only problem is convincing the bear to stay still while you dump a mag. I’ll take a 12 bore with slugs or a 45/70 GuideGun.

IDK...if we're talking the same thing here. This isnt hunting, its "Go Away". And its not about him standing still for the shot. Sure with a hunting gun, you need to place the rounds on a bobbing target because you arent likely to get a second, third, forth or 30th shot off. IF youre shooting to stop a charge, the animal is coming straight at you. Ive been charged a few times, trust me, its not some Disney dancing hippo scene; when animals charge they charge straight at you. Besides at bad breath distance (as in muzzle on fur) they are still enough

Im pretty sure I can mag dump a M4 purrrty fast, as in maybe 3 seconds for 30 rnds of 556. How many shots can you get out of a lever gun that fast? Its a lot less about pulling the trigger and a whole lot more about getting the gun aimed at the beast The REAL key is standing the charge, as in facing the animal and waiting till the last second before shooting

All that matters not. since the Army isnt going to be issuing 12ga or 45-70, neither will they be letting Pfc Snuffy carry one in the field but they could issue live 556

 

[last2brake]

I bought a .44 for my bear gun.

I got an 8" barrel so he can use my bear gun as a toothpick.