The US Army Goes All Out in Alaska – You Won’t Believe What Happens Next!

In a bold and carefully planned display of military strength, the US Army launched a rapid deployment to Alaska’s Aleutian Islands this week, aiming to send a clear signal to adversaries as Russia and China hold joint naval drills in the Pacific. The US Army Pacific Command’s 11th Airborne Division led this initiative, showcasing its readiness to act on short notice and operate in extreme environments, reinforcing the message that American forces can project power wherever necessary.

This exercise, which took place in the remote Shemya Island, highlights the US military’s commitment to maintaining a presence in strategically important regions. The event comes at a time when tensions in the Indo-Pacific are rising, with Russia and China conducting large-scale naval exercises involving over 400 ships and 90,000 troops. As these powers test their combat capabilities in various parts of the world, the US Army’s display in Alaska serves as a reminder of its global reach and readiness.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, commander of the 11th Airborne Division, emphasized the strategic intent behind the operation: “The Army looks at us to be Arctic experts,” he said. “We’ve got to be ready to operate in the region as a part of the land power there.” This deployment, he explained, is a showcase of the US military’s ability to mobilize forces quickly and efficiently, even in remote and challenging areas like the Arctic.

For the event, the 11th Airborne Division brought together assets from various parts of the military, including a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) platoon from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, radar systems, and communications equipment from Hawaii, all of which were transported to the location by the Alaska Air National Guard and the US Air Force. In total, around 130 soldiers were involved in the exercise, underscoring the rapid and coordinated response of the US Army.

Hilbert noted the importance of the HIMARS system, explaining that its long-range firepower adds a crucial element of deterrence, an idea that has been emphasized by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. “Bringing these forces together demonstrates to any adversary that we can deploy anywhere with little notice. We can suddenly create a dilemma,” Hilbert said. “We can do that with significant firepower, and we can do it as a joint force.”

This show of force isn’t just aimed at Russia and China; it also serves as a signal of reassurance to US allies in the region. The event was intentionally public, with no attempt to conceal the movement of forces, as the goal was to demonstrate that the US military’s capabilities are fully operational and readily deployable. “This is a capability that USARPAC has that we could use anywhere, and this was the right time to use this capability,” Hilbert explained.

Alaska’s harsh environment poses unique challenges to military operations, which is why the 11th Airborne Division regularly trains its soldiers to handle Arctic warfare conditions. Soldiers in the division have to adapt quickly and develop new tactics as they face unpredictable terrain and weather. This exercise is part of a broader effort by the US Army Pacific (USARPAC) to ensure its forces are well-prepared for any potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific region, where the threat of confrontation with adversaries like China and Russia is ever-present.

As tensions grow between the US and its rivals, particularly in the Pacific, these kinds of displays are becoming more critical. The timing of the exercise coincides with Russia’s largest naval drills since the Cold War, a series of maneuvers that span across the Pacific, Mediterranean, and Arctic regions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has framed these exercises as a response to what he sees as American aggression in the Indo-Pacific, accusing the US of provoking an arms race. Meanwhile, China’s growing partnership with Russia reflects both countries’ desire to challenge US dominance on the global stage.

In this environment, the US Army’s ability to project power into remote regions like Alaska is a key component of its strategy. The exercise on Shemya Island is not just about showing force; it’s about proving that the US can defend its interests and those of its allies, no matter where the threat arises.

With this recent demonstration, the US Army has sent a message loud and clear: whether in the Arctic, the Pacific, or anywhere else, American forces are prepared to respond swiftly and decisively.