Chinese and Russian Bombers Seen Off Coast of Alaska

/0 Comments/in , /by

On Wednesday, Chinese and Russian nuclear-capable bombers ventured into the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) off the coast of Alaska. This marked the first known incursion by Chinese H-6 bombers into this strategic buffer zone, prompting a swift response from both the United States and Canada.

According to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the simultaneous appearance of Chinese and Russian bombers in the Alaskan ADIZ is a significant development. While the ADIZ itself is not sovereign airspace, and such incursions do not constitute an act of war, they are provocations that necessitate a robust defensive posture.

NORAD’s command reported intercepting and tracking two Russian TU-95 bombers and two Chinese H-6 bombers. U.S. forces deployed F-16 and F-35 fighters to monitor the situation, while Canada responded with its CF-18 fighters.

While the Russian bombers have entered the Alaskan ADIZ before—most recently in May—this incident stands out as it involved a Chinese military presence. The joint patrol of Russian and Chinese bombers, which was confirmed by Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Zhang Xiaogang, marks the eighth such strategic air patrol between the two nations since 2019. Zhang emphasized that the patrol was designed to enhance coordination between the two air forces.

China’s increasing assertiveness in the Arctic region has been a point of contention for several years. Declaring itself a “near-Arctic state,” China has sought to expand its influence and involvement in Arctic affairs, often using terms like “polar Silk Road” to describe its ambitions. This effort aligns with Beijing’s broader strategy to secure access to Arctic resources and integrate the region into its global infrastructure initiatives.

The Pentagon has expressed growing concern over the expanding cooperation between China and Russia in the Arctic. A recent Department of Defense report highlighted the increasing alignment of these two major powers in the region as a significant strategic challenge:

While significant areas of disagreement between the PRC and Russia remain, their growing alignment in the region is of concern

Family of Nine Left Behind in Remote Alaska, Charged $9K by Cruise Line

/1 Comment/in , , /by

An Oklahoma family of nine was left stranded in remote Alaska after their Norwegian Cruise Lines ship left them behind — and then charged the desperate family $9,000 in customs fees.

The Gault family was traveling with six young kids and a 78-year-old grandmother on July 12 when they disembarked from the Norwegian Encore in Katchikan, a small town in a string of south Alaskan islands, so they could watch a lumberjack show together.

But on their way back, the local tour operator transporting passengers to and from the vessel failed to properly check who had tickets and who didn’t — merely conducting a head count — and told the Gaults there was no room and to wait for another shuttle. . .

However, that bus never came, and after frantically calling the port authority to arrange transportation, they finally arrived back at the docks to see the Norwegian Encore sailing away — taking with it their passports, medication and clothes. . .

The family, which had already spent about $30,000 on the trip, was immediately hit with nearly a $9,000 charge from the cruise line — $971 per passenger — for missing the boat. (Read more from “Family of Nine Left Behind in Remote Alaska, Charged $9K by Cruise Line” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Think Twice Before Flying: Alaska Air’s Pride Month Celebrations Highlight Disturbing Focus

/1 Comment/in , , /by

Alaska Airlines found itself in the spotlight for reasons beyond their flight operations this past Pride Month. The airline prominently participated in Pride celebrations in three major cities, making it clear that they prioritize promoting their employees’ sexual orientations and a love for drag queens.

They made a point to highlight their employees’ personal lives and their enthusiasm for drag queens. The company’s Twitter handle, @AlaskaAir, was filled with colorful posts celebrating Pride Month, leaving no doubt about their commitment to these social causes.

The juxtaposition of Alaska Airlines’ fervent Pride Month celebrations and their troubling safety issues is concerning. The question arises: are the airline’s priorities in the right place? Shouldn’t the focus be on ensuring the highest standards of safety and service for all passengers, rather than on publicizing employees’ private lives?

The conservative Twitter account “Libs of TikTok” brought this issue to light with a pointed tweet that read: “Alaska Air was represented in 3 major cities during pride month. It’s very important that you know who their employees like to sleep with and that they love drag queens. This is the same airline who had a door fly off mid-flight. Think twice before flying @AlaskaAir!”

The tweet quickly went viral.

Photo credit: Flickr

Denali National Park Bridge Crew Ordered to Stop Flying American Flags

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The crew working on a 475-foot-long bridge in Alaska’s Denali National Park was recently told that they could no longer fly the American flag from their trucks or heavy equipment, which are being used in the $207 million Federal Highway Administration project.

The bridge is being built by Granite Construction, after a 2021 rockslide took out a portion of the popular Denali Park Road that is used by visitors and tour buses to access more remote areas of the national park.

Since 2023, construction has been underway to repair the road at mile 45. This spring two mobile trucks and one piece of heavy equipment had been flying standard-sized U.S. flags. . .

According to the contractor, Denali National Park Superintendent Brooke Merrell contacted the man overseeing the federal highways project, claiming there had been complaints about the U.S. flags, and notifying him that bridge workers must stop flying the stars and strips from their vehicles because it detracts from the “park experience.”

Merrell moved to Alaska in 2009 as a transportation planner and environmental coordinator. A Pennsylvania native, she received a master’s degree in urban planning. Prior to moving to Alaska, she worked for the City of Portland and the Gulf Islands National Seashore, along with left-leaning environmentalist and social justice groups such as DNA People’s Legal Services and Columbia Riverkeeper. (Read more from “Denali National Park Bridge Crew Ordered to Stop Flying American Flags” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Alaska Man Fatally Attacked by Moose While Photographing Newborn Calves

/1 Comment/in , /by

Tragedy struck in Homer, Alaska, on Sunday when a 70-year-old man, identified as Dale Chorman, was attacked and killed by a mother moose while attempting to take photographs of her two newborn calves.

According to Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the female moose had recently given birth to the calves in Homer. Chorman and another individual were walking through the brush in search of the moose when the cow moose launched the attack.

“The cow moose attacked Dale as they were walking through the brush looking for the moose,” McDaniel stated. The attack occurred while the two were attempting to flee the scene.

The other individual, who has not been publicly identified, escaped unharmed. However, as they did not witness the attack, authorities could not ascertain the exact cause of Chorman’s death, whether it was due to kicks, stomps, or a combination of both.

Emergency medical personnel pronounced Chorman dead at the scene, after which the cow moose left the area, according to Alaska State Troopers.

This tragic incident recalls a similar event in 1995 when a 71-year-old man was fatally stomped by a moose while attempting to enter a building on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage. Witnesses reported that the moose and its calf had been harassed by students for hours prior to the attack.

Alaska is home to an estimated population of up to 200,000 moose. While moose are typically not aggressive, they can become so when provoked, especially during calving season.

During this time, cow moose become highly protective of their calves and may attack humans who approach too closely. Authorities advise giving moose extra space during calving season and caution against spooking the animals or getting between a mother and her calves.

“Cow moose with calves are going to be some of the more aggressive moose you’re going to come in contact with,” McDaniel warned. “Those moose will become unpredictable and work to protect their calves at any cost.”

Photo credit: Flickr

One Climber Dies, Another Critically Injured in 1,000-Foot Fall From Alaska Mountain

/0 Comments/in , /by

One mountain climber was killed and another was seriously injured Thursday night after plummeting an estimated 1,000 feet from Mt. Johnson’s 8,400-foot peak in Alaska’s Denali National Park, the National Park Service (NPS) said.

Due to adverse weather conditions, rescue teams were not able to reach the body of Robbi Mecus, 52, until the weather cleared Saturday morning, according to a statement by the NPS. The surviving climber — a 30-year-old California woman — was rescued and transporting by air ambulance to an Anchorage hospital Friday morning, the NPS stated.

The incident occurred on a portion of Mt. Johnson known as “the Escalator.” The two women were roped while climbing up terrain covered in a mix of rock, ice, and snow, the NPS said.

Another group of climbers witnessed the fall, notified park rangers and then climbed down to help the women, according to the NPS. The climbers reportedly confirmed Mecus was killed in the fall and gave first aid to the surviving climber. They tried to keep her warm until morning by digging a snow cave and attending “to the surviving climber’s injuries throughout the night,” the NPS stated.

Denali National Park Superintendent Brooke Merrell said, “We are grateful for the rescue efforts of Denali mountaineering rangers and the two good Samaritans on Mt. Johnson who helped save a fellow climber’s life. We extend our thoughts and condolences to the friends and family of Robbi Mecus.” (Read more from “One Climber Dies, Another Critically Injured in 1,000-Foot Fall From Alaska Mountain” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Senator Sullivan Slams Biden for ‘Despicable’ Action He Took in Alaska

/0 Comments/in , /by

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) slammed President Joe Biden over the weekend for taking action to restrict energy exploration and mining in his state while not enforcing sanctions against some of America’s top adversaries.

Sullivan made the remarks during a Sunday CBS News interview with Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation.”

“I know you’re also passionate about this and what the Biden administration just announced about your state of Alaska,” Brennan said. “He has limited oil and gas drilling in parts in the National Petroleum Reserve to protect polar bears and other things. And then he also blocked a road crucial to operating a copper and zinc mine.”

“You said this is ‘suicidal’ and ‘lawless,’” Brennan noted. “Those are strong words.”

Sullivan responded: “Well, it’s lawless. He doesn’t have the authority to do it. And I could go into all the laws that support me on that. It’s, as I say, national security suicide. Look, this president won’t sanction the Iranian oil and gas regime. You may have seen Senator Blumenthal and I put a – sent a letter to the president on Friday, saying you need to do that.” (Read more from “Senator Sullivan Slams Biden for ‘Despicable’ Action He Took in Alaska” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Report: Fairbanks Planet Fitness Assigns Staffer to Escort Trans Customer in Women’s Locker Room

/5 Comments/in , , /by

The Alaska Planet Fitness outlet in the news for allowing a man who identifies as “queer” to use the women’s locker rooms has reportedly doubled down on its policy by not only allowing the trans customer free access to women’s facilities but also providing a staff member to escort him.

The outlet in Fairbanks, Alaska, has been in the news since the indispensable Libs of TikTok posted about the experience of gym customer Patricia Silva, who was shocked and alarmed when she saw an obvious man in various states of undress, shaving in the women’s locker room while young girls were in there.

Silva had taken to her social media to say how uncomfortable she was over having a man in the women’s locker room. But after her video went viral, Planet Fitness doubled down on its trans inclusion policy and banned Silva from using their facilities.

A spokesman told the press that Planet Fitness is a “Judgement Free Zone” and has no problem with “transgender” customers invading women’s spaces.

“As the home of the Judgement Free Zone, Planet Fitness is committed to creating an inclusive environment,” the company said in an email to media outlets. (Read more from “Report: Planet Fitness Assigns Staffer to Escort Trans Customer in Women’s Locker Room” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Planet Fitness Doubles Down on Allowing Men in Women’s Locker Rooms

/2 Comments/in , /by

Planet Fitness has doubled down on its decision to ban a member who reported a “trans woman” for shaving in the female locker room. The fitness juggernaut said that although people may feel uncomfortable by the situation, it “is not a reason to deny access to the transgender member,” per the Daily Mail.

The revelations went viral after Libs of TikTok posted to X, writing: “Woman in Planet Fitness claims she went into the bathroom and this man who thinks he’s a woman was in there shaving. Why does @PlanetFitness allow men to use the women’s bathroom and invade women’s private spaces??”

The woman in the video, Patricia Silva, who lives in Alaska, said the “trans woman” was shaving in the female locker room while a girl — who could have been as young as 12 years old — was sitting in the corner wrapped in a towel, appearing to be distressed that here was a man in her locker room.

Three days later, Libs of TikTok posted an update, posting a video of the same woman. The account posted to X: “UPDATE: The woman who exposed a man shaving in an Alaska Planet Fitness women’s locker room with a 12-year-old present just had her membership revoked. Why is @PlanetFitness prioritizing a man with a p*nis using a woman’s private space over women’s and girls’ safety?”

(Read more from “Planet Fitness Doubles Down on Allowing Men in Women’s Locker Rooms” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Defense Department Examining Possible Spy Balloon Found off Alaska Coast: Report

/2 Comments/in , /by

Defense Department officials are inspecting a balloon found by fishermen off the Alaskan coast last week to determine if it was used to spy, according to a report.

The balloon is being analyzed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, a department spokesperson told CNN Wednesday – the first time the government officially acknowledged the debris was a balloon.

“We do not know why the balloon was in the waters off the coast of Alaska nor are we going to characterize it at this time, but hope to learn more about the balloon’s origin and purpose after further analysis of the materiel, which will be conducted by multiple agencies,” spokesperson Sue Gough said.

Sources told CNN last week the balloon, discovered by a commercial fishing ship on Friday, appeared similar to surveillance balloons used by foreign nations. (Read more from “Defense Department Examining Possible Spy Balloon Found off Alaska Coast: Report” HERE)