Two US army soldiers were injured on Thursday after encountering a brown bear during a land navigation training exercise in Arctic Valley, part of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (a large military installation within the city of Anchorage, Alaska) training area. Both soldiers used pepper spray on the animal before receiving medical care, with their conditions withheld pending notification of family. Alaska wildlife officials are investigating what appears to have been a defensive attack by a bear recently emerged from hibernation, and the surrounding area has been closed to recreational activity while the incident remains under investigation.