Military Reinforcement in Alaska Amidst Increased Russian Activity

Military Reinforcement in Alaska Amidst Increased Russian Activity

The U.S. military has recently deployed approximately 130 soldiers and mobile rocket launchers to Shemya Island in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. This move comes in response to an increase in Russian military aircraft and vessels operating near American territory.

Russian Military Presence in Alaska

Over the past week, eight Russian military planes and four naval vessels, including two submarines, have approached Alaska. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and monitored the Russian aircraft flying within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, an area beyond U.S. airspace where aircraft are required to identify themselves. None of the planes entered U.S. sovereign airspace.

Pentagon Response

The Pentagon has stated that the increase in Russian military activity does not pose an immediate threat from their perspective. However, Brigadier General Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, emphasized that the U.S. military remains vigilant and prepared to respond to any potential threats. **U.S. Military Deployment** As part of a “force projection operation,” the U.S. Army deployed the soldiers to Shemya Island on September 12th. They are equipped with two High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, has also reported the deployment of a guided missile destroyer and a Coast Guard vessel to the western region of Alaska.

NORAD Tracking

NORAD has detected 25 Russian planes entering the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone so far this year. Last year, there were 26 such interceptions, while the average number of intercepts per year has typically ranged from six to seven. NORAD has not released any photos or confirmed whether jets were scrambled to intercept the Russian planes during the recent encounters.

Coast Guard Patrol

On Sunday, the U.S. Coast Guard’s homeland security vessel Stratton tracked four Russian Federation Navy vessels in the Chukchi Sea, approximately 60 miles northwest of Point Hope, Alaska. The vessels included two submarines, a frigate, and a tugboat. They were found to have crossed into U.S. waters to avoid sea ice, which is permissible under international rules and customs.

Senator Sullivan’s Call for Increased Military Presence

Senator Sullivan has urged for a larger military presence in the Aleutians. He believes that the recent incidents demonstrate the importance of the Arctic region in global power competition between the United States, Russia, and China. Sullivan advocates for reopening the Naval Air Facility Adak, which was closed in 1997, as a strategic military base in the region.

International Perspective

The Russian Embassy in the United States has not responded to requests for comment. The U.S. Coast Guard acknowledged the interaction with Russian vessels in the Chukchi Sea but did not provide further details. Meanwhile, NORAD has maintained that it will continue to monitor the situation in the Alaska region and respond appropriately to any potential threats to U.S. national security.