Two American soldiers suffered injuries after being mauled by a brown bear during a training drill in Alaska. The soldiers, from the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, were taking part in a land navigation exercise when they were attacked, officials said.

"Both individuals sustained injuries and are currently receiving appropriate medical care," the US Army's 11th Airborne Division, of which both soldiers are part of, said in a statement on Saturday. "For privacy reasons, we are not releasing names or specific details about their conditions until next of kin has been notified." Officials said an investigation into the incident on Friday is ongoing.

There was no comment regarding the extent of their injuries.

Both soldiers carried and deployed bear spray during the exercise, CBS News reported, citing the statement.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) said it was likely a defensive attack by a bear that had not long emerged from a den following its winter hibernation.

Officials said they have been unable to locate the bear after a search.

Regional Supervisor Cyndi Wardlow said it was possible the bear spray saved the soldiers' lives.

In a statement, she said: "We hope both individuals have a full and quick recovery, and our thoughts are with them during this time.

"ADF&G will continue investigating the circumstances that led to the attack and try to learn everything we can about what happened to increase public safety around wildlife in Alaska.

"In this case, having bear spray with them in the field may have saved their lives."

There are estimated to be around 30,000 brown bears and 100,000 brown bears across the remote Alaska wilderness.

Brown bears can weigh up to 680 kilogrammes and reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.

Bear attacks are not uncommon in Alaska - 68 people were hospitalised in the state by the omnivores between 2000 to 2017, with brown bears responsible for around 96% of the attacks, according to a report.

Alaska's Section of Epidemiology found there were 10 fatalities from eight separate attacks over the period.

Soldiers at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson have previously been attacked by bears.

Almost four years ago, 30-year-old Staff Sergeant Seth Micahel Plant was killed after being attacked by a bear west of the Anchorage Regional Landfill, according to CBS News.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is home to more than 40,000 people, majority of whom are military personnel.

Brown bears are much less common on the US mainland, with numbers estimated to be below 2,000 and largely consigned to just four states; Montana, Washington, Idaho and Wyoming.