In response to an uptick in Russian military activity near Alaska, the U.S. has deployed 130 soldiers and mobile rocket launchers to a remote island in the Aleutian chain. This move comes as Russian planes and vessels, including two submarines, have been conducting joint military exercises with China near U.S. territory.
In the past week alone, eight Russian aircraft and four naval vessels approached Alaska. While none breached U.S. airspace, the Pentagon is closely monitoring the situation. “We’ve seen this before, and we’re prepared to respond as needed,” said Major General Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson.
The U.S. Coast Guard also tracked four Russian Federation Navy vessels near Point Hope, Alaska, during a routine patrol. This activity follows a July incident in which U.S. and Canadian fighter jets intercepted Russian and Chinese bombers off Alaska’s coast.
Major General Joseph Hilbert, commander of the 11th Airborne, emphasized the importance of maintaining U.S. military readiness in the region. “Our ability to deploy credible combat forces to remote locations is crucial for national defense,” he stated.
Russian incursions into Alaskan airspace have significantly increased this year, with 25 incidents so far compared to the usual six or seven. As tensions rise, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) is calling for the reopening of Naval Air Facility Adak in the Aleutians to strengthen U.S. defenses against growing threats from Russia and China.
