A soldier was training with a small group in a wooded area on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson when the bear attack occurred, officials said. US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Campbell.
A bear attack killed a Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson soldier Tuesday, May 10, during training near Anchorage, Alaska.
The soldier was part of a small group training in a wooded area on base near the Anchorage Regional Landfill, according to JBER officials. The soldier’s name is being withheld until their family can be notified.
The 673rd Security Forces Squadron initially responded to the attack and Alaska wildlife troopers are currently searching for the bear, according to JBER officials. Training Area 412, where the soldier was killed, is currently closed to the public for all recreation activity.
Authorities did not say what kind of bear was responsible for the attack on the soldier, but both black and brown bears are found in Anchorage.
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Hannah Ray Lambert is a former staff writer for Coffee or Die who previously covered everything from murder trials to high school trap shooting teams. She spent several months getting tear gassed during the 2020-2021 civil unrest in Portland, Oregon. When she’s not working, Hannah enjoys hiking, reading, and talking about authors and books on her podcast Between Lewis and Lovecraft.
