Chinese Lasers Are Targeting US Pilots, US Officials Say

US has issued a formal complaint over laser use near military base in Djibouti
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 3, 2018 2:32 PM CDT
Chinese Lasers Injured 2 US Pilots, US Officials Say
This photo taken Monday March 12, 2018 shows the port of Djibouti.   (AP Photo/Elias Messeret)

The Pentagon says the US has issued a formal complaint to China over the use of lasers near the military base in Djibouti that were directed at aircraft and resulted in minor injuries to two American pilots. Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White says the US is confident that Chinese nationals are responsible for the use of the lasers, the AP reports. She says the incidents represent a serious threat to US airmen. She says the US has asked China to investigate the incidents. The Pentagon says reports from pilots indicate that on three occasions the lasers were military grade and came from the Chinese base nearby. The US has notified airmen to exercise caution when flying in that area. The Chinese recently built a base near Camp Lemonnier, the US base in Djibouti. (More US-China relations stories.)

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