The U.S. military has sent nearly 130 troops to a remote island in the Aleutian chain in western Alaska because there have been more Russian military ships and planes coming close to American soil lately.
Eight Russian military planes and four Navy ships, two of which were subs, have been close to Alaska in the past week as Russia and China practiced their military moves together. The planes did not go through U.S. airspace, and a Pentagon spokesperson stated this week that there was no reason to be alarmed.
“It’s not the first time we have seen Russian and Chinese planes moving around,” Major General Pat Ryder, a spokesman for the Pentagon, said at a news conference. “That’s something we obviously keep a close eye on, and it’s also something we’re ready to respond to.”
At the same time, Russian state media said that more than 15 warships were in the area practicing firing missiles, among other things.
The most recent action comes after the U.S. F-16s and Canadian CF-18s were sent to Alaska in July to stop two Chinese bombers and two Russian bombers.
Major General Joseph Hilbert, who is in charge of the 11th Airborne and is based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, said that the U.S. reaction made sure that the Army could do its job.
Hilbert said, “It is very important for our country’s military and for keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open. Our strong relationships with allies and partner countries and our ability to quickly and successfully send combat-ready troops to any place, no matter how far away, are essential to our support for the country.”
NORAD says that the number of these kinds of attacks has changed over time. Six to seven intercepts a year is the standard amount. There were 26 Russian planes in the Alaskan zone in 2023, and there have already been 25 this year.
Author: Steven Sinclaire
