ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The recent deployment of about 130 U.S. soldiers to Shemya Island in remote western Alaska has garnered attention amidst a spike in Russian military activity near U.S. territory. This deployment involved soldiers from Alaska, Washington, and Hawaii with the 11th Airborne Division and the 1st and 3rd Multi-Domain Task Forces.
The presence of Russian military planes and navy vessels near Alaska coincided with this deployment, highlighting the tense geopolitical situation in the region. Despite this, a Pentagon spokesperson reassured the public that there was no cause for alarm.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert emphasized the importance of the timely deployment, stating that it was a measure of the military’s readiness to respond to potential threats. The exercise served as a real-world test of troops and equipment in challenging conditions.
“It’s a great opportunity to test ourselves in real-world conditions, and another benefit to being stationed in a place like Alaska,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Sword, a spokesperson for the 11th Airborne Division.
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