Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) is a U.S. military installation located in Anchorage, Alaska. It is a combination of the former Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson, integrated in 2010. JBER supports a wide range of military activities, including training exercises in diverse terrains. The base is currently newsworthy due to a recent incident where two U.S. Army soldiers were injured by a brown bear while participating in a land navigation training event in Arctic Valley, a mountainous training area within JBER. The soldiers were receiving medical care following the attack. This incident highlights the inherent risks associated with military training in Alaska's wilderness and underscores the importance of wildlife awareness and safety protocols during such exercises. JBER remains a strategically important base for U.S. military operations in the Arctic region.