The U.S. military has stationed troops on Alaska’s Aleutian Islands as a response to recent naval exercises conducted by Russia and China in the Pacific Ocean.

Major General Joseph Hilbert, Commander of the 11th Airborne Division, stated in an interview with Business Insider that this deployment showcases the U.S. Pacific Army’s capability to “deploy combat-credible forces quickly and effectively to any location, no matter how remote, [which] is critical to supporting the nation and our strong relationships with allies and partner nations.”

Hilbert emphasized that the Army views them as Arctic specialists and highlighted the need for readiness to operate as part of the ground forces in the region. He also noted that deploying HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) demonstrates the significance of long-range fires for force projection and deterrence and serves as a readiness signal to U.S. allies and partners.

Joseph Hilbert also noted that with “the increasing number of adversarial exercises” around Alaska and the region, the operation to Shemya Island highlights the division’s capability to rapidly respond to events in the Indo-Pacific or globally, providing a ready and effective force within hours.

The exercise is being conducted on the Aleutian Islands, stretching from Alaska’s southern tip to the Bering Sea and North Pacific Ocean, with specific drills on Shemya Island. Russia’s Strategic Command and Staff Exercise (SCST) “Oceans-2024” runs from September 10-16 across the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic Seas.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the exercises involve over 400 warships, submarines, support vessels, more than 120 naval aviation aircraft and helicopters, approximately 7,000 weapons and pieces of military and special equipment, and over 90,000 military personnel. Additionally, China has contributed to the Pacific exercises with 3 ships and 15 aircraft. (ILKHA)