Wildlife

Soldier killed by bear during training exercise on JBER

A Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson soldier was killed by a bear Tuesday during training in Anchorage, the base said.

The U.S. Army Alaska soldier was part of a small group training in an area west of the Anchorage Regional Landfill when the bear attacked, JBER officials said in a statement. The soldier’s name is being withheld until their family is notified.

According to base officials, the 673d Security Forces Squadron initially responded to the attack, and Alaska Wildlife Troopers are now searching for the bear. The area is closed to the public for all recreation activity, JBER said.

Additional details, including the type of bear involved in the attack, were not immediately available. Base officials said more information would be released as it became available.

[Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that JBER officials provided the information regarding the bear attack, not U.S. Army Alaska.]

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