2:297th Infantry

• Alaskan Roots: The 2nd Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment (2/297th Infantry) is a unit of the Alaska Army National Guard, reflecting Alaska’s unique military heritage and strategic importance during the Cold War and beyond. • World War II Heritage: The 297th Infantry Regiment traces its lineage to the Alaska Territorial Guard and home guard units that defended Alaska during World War II, particularly during the Aleutian Islands Campaign. • Cold War Mission: During the Cold War, 2/297th Infantry was a key component of Alaska’s defense, trained to repel Soviet incursions and protect vital installations in the state. • Rural Composition: The battalion has historically included soldiers from remote and rural communities across Alaska, including many Alaska Natives, making it a uniquely diverse unit. • “Eskimo Scouts” Connection: The unit has historical ties to the famed Alaska Territorial Guard (“Eskimo Scouts”), whose local knowledge and survival skills were vital to Alaska’s defense. • Disaster Response: Soldiers from 2/297th Infantry have frequently responded to natural disasters in Alaska, such as floods, earthquakes, and wildfires, providing critical assistance to isolated communities. • Deployments: Members of the 2/297th Infantry have participated in overseas deployments, including missions to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait as part of the Global War on Terrorism. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The regiment’s insignia features a polar bear, symbolizing the Arctic environment and the unit’s readiness to operate in extreme cold weather. • Community Ties: The battalion is well-known for its integration into Alaskan life, with many soldiers serving dual roles as hunters, subsistence fishermen, and traditional community leaders. • Modern Training: 2/297th Infantry regularly trains in Arctic survival, mountaineering, and cold-weather operations, skills crucial to defending Alaska’s vast and often inaccessible terrain.