Russo-Chinese Arctic war games spur US response as Alaska officials warn only strength can deter crisis

The U.S. Army deployed about 130 airborne members to Shemya Island on the far end of the Aleutian chain, in response to aggression from Russia and China this week.

Russian state media said more than 15 warships in the region practiced missile launches, among other activities. The news follows a July incident in which U.S. F-16s and Canadian CF-18s were dispatched to intercept two Russian and two Chinese bombers off Alaska. Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. 

Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, commander of the 11th Airborne based out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Anchorage, said in a statement reported by the Alaska Beacon that the U.S. response ensured Army capabilities. He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant. 

"[It] is critical to our nation’s defense and the preservation of a free and open Indo-Pacific," Hilbert said. "Our ability to deploy combat-credible forces quickly and effectively to any location, no matter how remote, is critical to supporting the nation and our strong relationships with allies and partner nations." Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.