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JBER soldier has died from a mauling during training.

More to come…

Bummer,,,,,,,They need a Karelian Bear Dog in their squad!

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (KTUU) (KTUU)
By Connor Matteson
Published: May. 10, 2022 at 6:41 PM AKDT|Updated: 38 minutes ago
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson soldier has died following a bear attack that occurred during a training exercise.

JBER Spokesperson Erin Eaton wrote in a press release that while training in an area west of the Anchorage Regional Landfill, a U.S. Army Alaska Soldier was attacked by a bear and died from the injuries.

The 673d Security Forces Squadron initially responded to the incident, and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers are still searching for the bear involved in the attack.

JBER officials say more information about the incident will be announced as it becomes available and the name of the Soldier who died will be released pending next-of-kin notification.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.

Copyright 2022 KTUU. All rights reserved.

That sucks

My condolences

That's not good.

Oh man. That's tough.

that is terrible news . i hope he gets some honors .

I can't think of many more terrifying ways to die.

Damn

My condolences to the soldier's family - that really sucks.

My son works as a Blackhawk mechanic for the AL Army Guard and he said the RCC called them for the medevac, but it sounds like a UH-72 took the mission from what my son said as they could get their quicker. The soldier died on the way to the hospital my son said.

I mentioned this to my co-worker this morning that runs the budget for our wildlife branch. She said we have a biologist that is working with the base and ADFG for bear control on base. I wonder if this speeds anything up.

Black or brown bear?

The article nor the tv station specified, but my money is on a brownie.

Neither would surprise me, because a probable scenario is a bunch of soldiers moving together cornering or scaring a bear suddenly and up close.

That sucks. Hate hearing it.

That's why around 1998 we purchased a bunch of them 870's and each team leader carried one and the other team members carried a can of spray. Elmendorf and ft rich didn't like us carrying loaded shotguns but we got away with alot.

Brownie from my POC on base that works on base dealing with it. Soldiers actually entered the sow’s den as well not knowing what it was. Three or four others played dead while the other soldier was attacked. Horrible either way. News did say they are not provided bear spray for their exercises, I bet that may change now.

I've had the Ft Rich bowhunting permit (moose) a couple of times and I was able to carry, I simply had to register my handgun with the MP's. I wouldn't go in any of those areas without a weapon myself which is why I stopped putting in for the Elmendorf moose bow hunt tag, you aren't allowed to carry anything other than your bow (not sure about bear spray) and there are quite a few brown bears on JBER.

According to the ADN, the soldier was not alone and was with 2 other soldiers, one who was injured by the bear and it sounds like they may have surprised the bear near it's den.



https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mil...-injures-another-in-remote-part-of-jber/

I had the archery moose tag in 2020 and hunted TA412 near where this attack occurred. I got about as close to the dump as you could at one point and backed out. I carried bear spray each time I hunted. I did not see a moose in this area, but did see some bear sign for sure.

Last time I hunted that area I had a bull responding to a call but he was on the other side of the fence and wouldn't show himself. I've also seen a lot of bear sign in that area as well but most of the bear sign I have seen on JBER was on the south side up near Campbell Creek and along the hillside going towards the ski hill. Quite a few wolves over there too.