The U.S. military has deployed 130 soldiers and mobile rocket launchers to an island in Alaska’s Aleutian chain following an increase in Russian military activity near U.S. territory. Over the past week, Russian military planes and vessels, including submarines, have approached Alaska as part of joint drills with China.
Though none of the Russian aircraft entered U.S. airspace, the Pentagon has been closely monitoring the situation. Major General Pat Ryder stated that such military activities by Russia and China are not new, but the U.S. remains vigilant. “It’s something we are prepared to respond to,” Ryder told reporters, while downplaying the immediate threat.
Russian state media confirmed that more than 15 Russian warships are conducting missile launch exercises in the area. This activity follows a July incident where U.S. and Canadian fighter jets intercepted Russian and Chinese bombers near Alaska. As tensions rise in the region, the U.S. is stepping up its military presence to counter potential threats.
Major General Joseph Hilbert, commander of the 11th Airborne, highlighted the significance of rapid military deployment. “Our ability to deploy combat-credible forces quickly and effectively to any location, no matter how remote, is crucial to defending our nation,” Hilbert said, emphasizing the importance of readiness in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions.
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that the number of Russian incursions into Alaskan airspace has surged. While intercepts typically average six to seven annually, this number climbed to 26 in 2023, and 25 have already been recorded this year.
With increasing threats in the Arctic, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) has proposed reopening the Adak Naval base, which closed in 1997, to enhance U.S. defenses in the region.
