September 20, 2024 — The U.S. Army has increased its presence in the state of Alaska following increased military activity from Russia and China in and around the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ). At the same time, state and federal officials from Alaska are calling for an increased military investment into the state.
Russia and China began conducting military exercises together in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans on 10 September. In the weeks since, U.S. forces have detected four separate incursions by foreign military aircraft into the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone and one instance of a foreign naval vessel entering the U.S. EEZ. These activities follow an instance in July when three Chinese military ships traversed through the U.S. EEZ and were confronted by the U.S. Coast Guard.