Approximately 130 U.S. soldiers have concluded a week-long deployment to Shemya Island, a remote Alaskan outpost, amid increased Russian military activity near western U.S. territories, military officials announced Thursday.
The deployment, which began on September 12, involved troops from the 11th Airborne Division and the 1st and 3rd Multi Domain Task Forces, sourced from Alaska, Washington, and Hawaii. Sgt. 1st Class Michael Sword, a spokesperson for the 11th Airborne, confirmed the soldiers’ return to their respective bases.
This strategic move coincided with the detection of eight Russian military aircraft and four naval vessels, including two submarines, operating in proximity to Alaska during joint Russia-China military exercises. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported tracking Russian military planes in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone over four days between September 11 and 15.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, stated the deployment was timely and served as an opportunity to test military readiness in real-world conditions.
The U.S. Coast Guard vessel Stratton also reported tracking four Russian Federation Navy vessels about 60 miles northwest of Point Hope while on routine patrol in the Chukchi Sea.
Pentagon officials emphasized there was no cause for alarm, despite the increased Russian military presence. The frequency of Russian aircraft entering the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone has risen in recent years, with 25 instances reported so far this year compared to an average of six or seven annually in previous years.
