Miloch
May 3rd 18, 05:03 PM
https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/03/politics/chinese-lasers-us-military-pilots-africa/index.html
(CNN) — Chinese personnel at the country's first overseas military base in
Djibouti have been using lasers to interfere with US military aircraft at a
nearby American base, activity that has resulted in injuries to US pilots and
prompted the US to launch a formal diplomatic protest with Beijing, two military
officials told CNN.
The US issued a notice to airmen "to exercise caution when flying in certain
areas in Djibouti," which "was issued due to lasers being directed at US
aircraft on a small number of separate occasions over the last few weeks,"
according to the notice obtained by CNN.
"During one incident, there were two minor eye injuries of aircrew flying in a
C-130 that resulted from exposure to military-grade laser beams, which were
reported to have originated from the nearby Chinese base," the notice said.
Two US military officials told CNN that the issue was of major concern as such
activity can cause major accidents. The officials said that the State Department
had lodged a formal diplomatic protest with Beijing in an effort to get China to
stop the activity.
Last month the US military was forced to briefly halt air operations in the East
African nation of Djibouti, a critical location in the fight against terrorism,
following a series of accidents involving aircraft. The halting of air
operations was done at the request of Djiboutian government.
There are about 4,000 US personnel in Djibouti, based at Camp Lemonnier. The US
military places a lot of importance on its ability to base forces in Djibouti
given its critically strategic location near countries like Somalia and Yemen,
where the US regularly targets terrorists in airstrikes.
But US officials have recently expressed concern about the growing influence of
China in Djibouti, noting its establishment of its first military base there and
its close economic links with the country.
Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, who oversees US Africa Command, acknowledged both
challenges during an appearance before Congress in March.
"We are taking significant steps on the counterintelligence side so that we have
all the defenses that we need there, there is no doubt about that," said
Waldhauser, referring to the proximity of the new Chinese base.
*
(CNN) — Chinese personnel at the country's first overseas military base in
Djibouti have been using lasers to interfere with US military aircraft at a
nearby American base, activity that has resulted in injuries to US pilots and
prompted the US to launch a formal diplomatic protest with Beijing, two military
officials told CNN.
The US issued a notice to airmen "to exercise caution when flying in certain
areas in Djibouti," which "was issued due to lasers being directed at US
aircraft on a small number of separate occasions over the last few weeks,"
according to the notice obtained by CNN.
"During one incident, there were two minor eye injuries of aircrew flying in a
C-130 that resulted from exposure to military-grade laser beams, which were
reported to have originated from the nearby Chinese base," the notice said.
Two US military officials told CNN that the issue was of major concern as such
activity can cause major accidents. The officials said that the State Department
had lodged a formal diplomatic protest with Beijing in an effort to get China to
stop the activity.
Last month the US military was forced to briefly halt air operations in the East
African nation of Djibouti, a critical location in the fight against terrorism,
following a series of accidents involving aircraft. The halting of air
operations was done at the request of Djiboutian government.
There are about 4,000 US personnel in Djibouti, based at Camp Lemonnier. The US
military places a lot of importance on its ability to base forces in Djibouti
given its critically strategic location near countries like Somalia and Yemen,
where the US regularly targets terrorists in airstrikes.
But US officials have recently expressed concern about the growing influence of
China in Djibouti, noting its establishment of its first military base there and
its close economic links with the country.
Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, who oversees US Africa Command, acknowledged both
challenges during an appearance before Congress in March.
"We are taking significant steps on the counterintelligence side so that we have
all the defenses that we need there, there is no doubt about that," said
Waldhauser, referring to the proximity of the new Chinese base.
*