The Only WWII Land Battle Fought on American Soil: The Forgotten Fight for Alaska
When most people think of the Pacific Theater of World War II, they envision tropical islands, heat, and jungle combat. However, the 18-day campaign in May 1943 to retake a remote Aleutian island from Japanese occupation was the total opposite. The fight over the frozen island became the only land battle of World War II […]
Alaska Storm Damage so Bad Many Evacuees Won’t Go Home for at Least 18 Months, Governor Says
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Damage to remote Alaska villages hammered by flooding last weekend is so extreme that many of the more than 2,000 people displaced won’t be able to return to their homes for at least 18 months, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said in a request to the White House for a major disaster declaration. […]
US Troops Finish Deployment to Remote Alaska Island Amid Spike in Russian Military Activity
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — About 130 U.S. soldiers are returning to their bases after being deployed last week to a remote Alaska island with mobile rocket launchers amid a spike in Russian military activity off the western reaches of the U.S., a military official said Thursday. The deployment to Shemya Island involved soldiers from Alaska, Washington […]
US Moves Soldiers to Alaska Island Amid Russian Military Activity Increase in the Area
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The U.S. military has moved about 130 soldiers along with mobile rocket launchers to a desolate island in the Aleutian chain of western Alaska amid a recent increase in Russian military planes and vessels approaching American territory. Eight Russian military planes and four navy vessels, including two submarines, have come close to […]
An Alaska Veteran Is Finally Getting His Benefits — 78 Years After the 103-Year-Old Was Discharged
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A 103-year-old World War II veteran who’s been paying his medical bills out-of-pocket is finally getting his veterans benefits from the U.S. government after 78 years. Louis Gigliotti’s caretaker says the former U.S. Army medical technician has a card from the Veteran Administration but he never realized he could use his status […]
Army Helicopter Flying Through Alaska Mountain Pass Hit Another in Fatal April Crash, Report Says
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A U.S. Army helicopter that was flying through a mountain pass in Alaska along with other aircraft returning from a training exercise earlier this year hit one of the other helicopters, causing both to crash and killing three soldiers, a military investigation report released Friday said. The accident safety report from […]
Alaska National Guard Performs Medical Mission While Shuttling Santa to Give Gifts to Rural Village
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Santa Claus’ sleigh took on new responsibilities in rural Alaska this week when delivering gifts to an Alaska Native village. Santa’s ride, an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, was shuttling Santa, Mrs. Claus, volunteer elves and gifts in shifts Wednesday to provide the children of Tuluksak some […]
Army Identifies Soldiers Killed When Their Transport Vehicle Flipped on Way to Alaska Training Site
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — U.S. Army officials have identified two soldiers killed when their large transport vehicle crashed while heading to a training area in interior Alaska. There were among 17 soldiers on board the vehicle that flipped when the driver lost control on a dirt road leading to the Yukon Training Area near […]
Tactical Vehicle Rollover Kills 2 Soldiers, Injures 12 During Training in Alaska
Two soldiers with the 11th Airborne Division were killed and 12 were injured in a military vehicle accident Monday in Alaska, according to the division. A Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, or LMTV, rolled over while traveling with a convoy in the Yukon Training Area, the division said in a statement. Seventeen soldiers were riding in […]
Catcalling, Racist Comments, Burnout: Alaska Troops Eyed as Prestigious Arctic Force Face Problems in First Year of Service
The Army redesignated its Alaska force as the 11th Airborne Division in the summer of 2022, with top brass hoping the rebranding would be part of a shift toward a prestigious fighting force — the so-called tip of the spear in the Pacific. But a year later, soldiers are reporting sexual harassment and a raft […]