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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.

Back in 2018, a lot of folks on JBER along with commands don’t realize their are a lot brn bears on Jber . They just think a bunch of cute black bears running around.

https://www.ammoland.com/2019/10/al...with-glock-10mm-on-elmendorf-richardson/

Yeah elmendorf was a PIA to deal with. Since our building was on the air base, had to deal with them alot. It got to the point when I would be confronted and the MP found out I was a Marine, they just dropped it. When it came to the shotgun issue, we found a back door where it's legal to carry live rounds for training for safety issues as long as ammo is NATO approved. 12 gauge is.

the dumbest thing I've ever heard is soldiers without weapons .....

WTF kind of pansy decided to disarm those whose very existence involves being heavily armed at all times ?

morons

by all rights, that fugging bear should have 500 bullet holes in it's stinking hide

By Joey Klecka and Tim Rockey
Published: May. 12, 2022 at 12:21 PM AKDT|Updated: 6 hours ago
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The U.S. Army Alaska soldier that was killed by a bear Tuesday has been identified as Staff Sgt. Seth Michael Plant, according to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson officials.

Plant, 30, from Saint Augustine, Florida, was an infantryman from the Third Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment that served in Alaska, according to a release from JBER spokesperson Erin Eaton.

Plant was attacked Tuesday evening during a training exercise west of the Anchorage Regional Landfill, in an area known to Alaska Army as Area 412. The release said another soldier received minor injuries in the attack but has been treated and released from the JBER hospital, where Plant was declared dead.

According to a release from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the the bear is a female brown bear, and the department reported that the sow and cubs had a nearby den in a remote portion of the base.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to Staff Sgt. Plant’s family, friends, and fellow military members during this very sad time,” said Department of Fish and Game Southcentral Regional Supervisor Cyndi Wardlow. “From everything we know so far, based on the scene investigation and information from other responding agencies, this appears to be a defensive attack by a female bear protecting her cubs. We are trying to learn everything we can about what happened to increase public safety around wildlife in Alaska.”

According to the release, the area of JBER where the attack occurred has been closed to the public for recreation. The department is encouraging anyone that sees a brown bear in Anchorage or unusual, aggressive wildlife behavior to report it to the department.

“Following the initial attack and U.S. Army personnel extraction, a brown bear approached the area. Bear spray was deployed by responding personnel and the bear left the immediate area,” the release said. “... A bear that is considered a public safety threat or involved in a fatal attack may be killed by the Department. Game cameras placed by ADF&G during their investigation indicated that ... an adult bear had returned to the area after nightfall and left the den site accompanied by the cubs”

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

The release said Plant has served as an active-duty soldier in the Army since January 2015, following a stint in the Army Reserves. He spent time serving in Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, before making his way to Alaska in July 2021.

“Staff Sgt. Plant was an integral part of our organization,” Lt. Col. David J. Nelson, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment commander, said in the release. “He was a positive and dedicated leader who brought joy and energy to the paratroopers who served with him. He always had a smile on his face, he always went above and beyond what was asked of him, and he served as an inspiration to all who had the privilege to know him. His loss is deeply felt within our organization and we offer our sincere condolences to friends and family.”

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Copyright 2022 KTUU. All rights reserved.

Thanks bender.

Although very rare, this instance shouldn't have happened.

Absolutely.

The report on AM news included interviews with family in St. Augustine.

Sgt. Plant was a real patriot, apparently a well liked and well respected soldier. His goal was SF.

Begich:
Many Republicans believe him to be a Republican and therefore will vote for him.
Many Democrats believe him to be a Begich and therefore will vote for him.

I don't see how he can lose!

Wrong thread ... but I agree !

the perfect candidate, planted at the perfect time ...

Alaska is royally f u ck ed !

Thanks for the post

Really?

You a bot?