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Chinese Lasers Injure U.S. C-130 Pilots, Washington Responds Through Diplomatic Channels

Several laser attacks on U.S. aircraft in Djibouti are another way the Chinese appear to be making their presence felt in Africa. One analyst calls it a warning shot to other countries in the region.

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THE PENTAGON: The United States is accusing the China of using high-powered military lasers to target U.S. military aircraft flying in and out of Djibouti, the tiny Horn of Africa nation that houses military bases from both countries.

One recent incident injured two U.S. airmen piloting a C-130 landing at the U.S. base there, said Maj. Sheryll Klinkel, a Pentagon spokesperson. The injuries were minor, she said, but she described the laser as “military grade,” without going into further detail.

Washington has issued a démarche, or a formal complaint, over the laser attacks, which have numbered somewhere between two and ten over the past several weeks. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a Notice to Airmen on May 2 advising pilots about “unauthorized laser activity” and “multiple lazing events involving high power laser” near the Chinese military installation in Djibouti. It was the second warning from the FAA in as many weeks.

Military officials say they’re confident that the Chinese are responsible for the lasers, as they are coming from the direction of the Chinese base nearby, and are too powerful to be commercial, off-the-shelf gear.

“It’s enough that we’re concerned that we demarched them, and asked them to investigate. We’re confident,” that it was the Chinese, Pentagon spokesperson Dana White told reporters on Thursday.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army base in Djibouti was established on August 1, 2017. It is China’s first overseas base.

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