As we come together this RED Friday, September 20, we remember the brave U.S. military personnel currently serving in dangerous regions across the globe, standing as a shield between our nation and threats from adversaries like Russia and China. From remote islands in Alaska to the volatile Middle East, U.S. service members continue to place themselves in harm’s way, ensuring the safety and security of our country.

Just this past week, 130 soldiers were deployed to Shemya Island in the Aleutian chain of Alaska. Armed with mobile rocket launchers, these troops are positioned to counter the growing presence of Russian military planes and naval vessels near U.S. airspace and waters. Their mission is part of a broader force projection in response to joint military exercises between Russia and China, which have highlighted the strategic importance of the Arctic.

Our military is also confronting dangers far beyond American shores. In Iraq and Syria, over 3,400 U.S. troops remain stationed, actively engaging in operations to eliminate threats posed by ISIS. These regions, recognized as combat zones, continue to see hostile actions and sleeper cell attacks despite ISIS’s formal defeat in 2017. Just last month, U.S. forces, in coordination with Iraqi troops, conducted a successful raid, eliminating 14 ISIS operatives, but not without the cost of injuries to several American soldiers.

As we wear red this Friday, we honor the sacrifices of these men and women. Their courage ensures that we remain safe, while they operate in regions where danger is a constant companion. Whether stationed in the freezing Arctic waters off Alaska, tracking Russian and Chinese vessels, or engaging ISIS militants in the Middle East, U.S. troops exemplify the spirit of duty, service, and sacrifice.

Today, let us remember their contributions, sending our thoughts and support to the military families waiting for their safe return. RED Friday is more than just a day to wear a color; it’s a reminder that U.S. troops are on the frontlines every day, defending freedom in ways often unseen but deeply appreciated.

Despite public claims suggesting otherwise, U.S. troops continue to serve in combat zones worldwide, regularly facing threats to their safety. These areas include the Sinai Peninsula, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and others, where they remain in harm’s way.

The U.S. Department of Defense recognizes specific regions as combat zones, designating areas where military personnel are eligible for combat zone tax benefits. In places like the Sinai Peninsula, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, troops are engaged in operations that often expose them to hostile fire, including direct attacks by groups like ISIS and the Houthis.

Although the United States has not declared a new war in recent years, service members remain stationed in dangerous regions where combat conditions persist. Harrowing footage obtained from a service member shows U.S. troops under heavy fire within the last few months. Locations such as Iraq and Syria, where approximately 3,400 U.S. personnel are stationed, continue to witness significant military activity, including raids and clashes with ISIS militants.

U.S. troops are not just passive actors; they actively engage in combat operations. For example, a recent joint mission with Iraqi forces led to the deaths of 14 ISIS operatives, demonstrating the ongoing dangers American troops face. Moreover, U.S. forces are involved in securing areas like northeastern Syria, where hostile engagements are common.

While official statements highlight that these deployments are not part of declared wars, the reality on the ground is starkly different. U.S. troops continue to risk their lives in regions plagued by ongoing conflict and insurgency, directly contradicting any claims that the U.S. military is not operating in combat zones. The military’s presence in these regions, and the constant threats they face, serve as a sobering reminder of the dangerous conditions U.S. service members endure while serving their country.

U.S. Military Deploys Forces to Alaskan Island Amid Rising Russian and Chinese Activity

In response to increasing Russian and Chinese military movements near U.S. territory, the U.S. military has deployed 130 soldiers and advanced mobile rocket launchers to Shemya Island in Alaska’s Aleutian chain. This action, part of a “force projection operation,” is intended to address the recent uptick in Russian planes and naval vessels approaching the region.

The deployment comes amid joint military exercises between Russia and China, known as “Ocean-24,” taking place in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. Over the past week, eight Russian military aircraft and four navy vessels, including two submarines, were tracked near Alaska. While none of the planes entered U.S. airspace, they operated within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), an area where aircraft are required to identify themselves.

U.S. military forces, equipped with two High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), arrived on Shemya Island, approximately 1,200 miles southwest of Anchorage, on September 12. The island has been home to a U.S. Air Force station since World War II. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, also confirmed the deployment of a guided-missile destroyer and a Coast Guard vessel to the region in response to the Russian and Chinese exercises.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that Russian aircraft flew near Alaska on four separate days—September 11, 13, 14, and 15. These flights occurred within the ADIZ, but no intercepts were publicly reported. NORAD routinely monitors such activity, and in 2022, there were 26 Russian incursions in the zone. As of mid-September 2024, there have already been 25.

The U.S. Coast Guard recently tracked four Russian Navy vessels, including two submarines, about 60 miles northwest of Point Hope, Alaska. The vessels crossed into U.S. waters to avoid sea ice, which is permitted under international law. While this movement followed maritime protocol, it occurred in the context of growing concern over Russian and Chinese military activities in the Arctic.

Sen. Sullivan emphasized the strategic importance of the Arctic in global military competition, calling for an increased U.S. military presence in the Aleutian Islands. He urged the reopening of Naval Air Facility Adak, which was closed in 1997. Sullivan highlighted how joint Russian-Chinese naval exercises and other incidents, such as the recent appearance of a Chinese spy balloon over U.S. airspace, underscore the need for a robust response.

Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder reassured the public that while the military continues to monitor the situation closely, there is no immediate cause for alarm. “It’s not the first time we’ve seen the Russians and the Chinese operating in this region,” Ryder noted, adding that the U.S. is prepared to respond if necessary.

As tensions rise in the Arctic and Pacific regions, the U.S. military remains vigilant, reinforcing its presence and monitoring the evolving activities of Russia and China near its borders.