From the Pentagon

By Jim Garamone – Defense Media Activity

U.S. Protests Chinese Interference With U.S. Planes in Djibouti

WASHINGTON –-The United States has protested to China after repeated instances of lasers interfering with U.S. military aircraft landing in Djibouti, chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White said here today.

In her weekly news conference, White confirmed that two Air Force crewmen were slightly injured in one incident.

“They are very serious incidents,” White said. “There have been two minor injuries. This activity poses a true … threat to our airmen.”

The United States has formally “demarched” the Chinese government, and requested that the Chinese investigate the incidents. Demarche is a diplomatic term used when a nation protests or objects to policies or actions of another government.

Djibouti – on the Horn of Africa – is a strategic U.S. ally, and the nation has hosted a U.S. presence since 2002. Last year, the country also agreed to host China’s first overseas military outpost, and that facility is located near the American base.

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