What chain of islands extends into the Pacific Ocean from Alaska?

What chain of islands extends into the Pacific Ocean from Alaska?

The Hawaiian Islands form an archipelago that extends over a vast area of the North Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is made up of 132 islands, atolls, reefs, shallow banks, shoals, and seamounts stretching over 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the southeast to Kure Atoll in the northwest.

Does anyone live on Shemya Island?

Shemya—which is closer to Moscow than to Washington, D.C.—is inhabited only by support contractors who report to the 611th Air Support Group at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.

What happened on Shemya Island?

The Russian vessel Saint Peter and Paul wrecked at Shemya in 1762. Most of the crew survived. In 1956, Northwest Airlines leased Shemya Island from the U.S. government to use as a refueling station on their North Pacific route.

Who owns Attu Island?

While nearly all the archipelago is part of Alaska and is usually considered as being in the “Alaskan Bush”, at the extreme western end, the small, geologically related Commander Islands belong to Russia. The islands, with their 57 volcanoes, form the northernmost part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Who owns Shemya Island?

However, it is still owned by the USAF and is operated by the USAF 611th Air Support Squadron at Elmendorf AFB for refueling purposes. It also serves as a diversion airport for civilian aircraft.

How many Air Force bases are in Alaska?

There are two Air Force Bases in Alaska: Eielson and Elmendorf. Between these two operations there are over 7,300 Air Force members stationed in Alaska.

Where is Shemya?

Alaska

Where are the Aleutian Islands located?

Alaska Peninsula

Which country did the United States buy Alaska from?

Russia

Why are the Aleutian Islands important?

The Aleutian Islands are home to Dutch Harbor, America’s biggest and busiest fishing port. Alaska Pollock is the highest volume fishery, but other important harvests include halibut, cod, rockfish, and crab.

Why did the Japanese plan on attacking the Aleutian Islands?

In June 1942, Japan had seized the remote, sparsely inhabited islands of Attu and Kiska, in the Aleutian Islands. It’s also possible the Japanese believed holding the two islands could prevent the U.S. from invading Japan via the Aleutians. Either way, the Japanese occupation was a blow to American morale.