Approximately 130 U.S. soldiers are heading back to their bases following a recent deployment to a remote island in western Alaska with mobile rocket launchers, as reported by a military official on Thursday. The soldiers, hailing from Alaska, Washington, and Hawaii, were part of the 11th Airborne Division and the 1st and 3rd Multi Domain Task Forces. The deployment to Shemya Island coincided with increased Russian military activity near the western U.S. borders, with Russian military planes and navy vessels, including submarines, being observed in the vicinity. The planes did not breach U.S. airspace, however, according to reports. The Pentagon assured earlier this week that there was no need for concern.

Major General Joseph Hilbert, the commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, stated that the timing of the deployment, which took place on September 12th, was appropriate. The North American Aerospace Defense Command monitored Russian military planes near Alaska over a period of four days, with two planes spotted on each of the days from September 11th to September 15th. According to Sgt. 1st Class Michael Sword, a spokesperson for the 11th Airborne, the exercise served as a test of the military’s ability to deploy troops and equipment, demonstrating readiness for real-world scenarios. Sword also emphasized the advantages of being stationed in a location like Alaska for such training opportunities.