“Unauthorized laser activity” in the tiny African country of Djibouti has prompted the U.S. Military to warn pilots in the area to exercise “extreme caution” there and notify authorities if it happens to them. The language almost certainly means laser strikes, in which lasers on the ground are pointed at aircraft to harass or injure pilots. The coordinates for the attacks are close to a Chinese military base.

NOTAM, or Notice to Airmen messages, are issued by aviation authorities to warn military, commercial, and private pilots of navigation hazards that could impact flight plans. These include airspace closures, navigational issues, airport activity—pretty much anything a pilot might want to know ahead of time. In terms of severity, they run from warning of the presence of birds near an airport all the way up to clearing out airspace for military exercises.

A new NOTAM issued for pilots in and around Djibouti warns that someone is pointing a high-powered laser at aircrews in and around the country. Here’s the message:

FAA

According to Jane’s, the coordinates match up with a location northwest of China’s new military base in Djibouti. The location is in the Gulf of Aden, about 750 meters from the base. China is a signatory of the Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons, but it has been accused of producing blinding laser weapons.

Laser attacks against civilian aircraft are not uncommon, but are serious crimes that endanger not only the flight crews but passengers and even people on the ground. While such attacks could be the actions of some idiot with a laser pointer, they could also be used to deliberately place others in danger.

The United States and major NATO allies have long stationed troops, aircraft, and ships in Djibouti. The U.S. base, Camp Lemonnier, is a major hub for U.S. anti-terrorism activities in the area and is also used as a desert training ground by visiting forces, especially U.S. Marines.

The opening ceremony at the Chinese base in Djibouti, August 1st 2017. Getty Images

In August 2017, China formally opened a base in the small country, approximately 8.3 miles from Camp Lemonnier. The 36-hectare base is China’s first overseas military base, manned by Chinese marines and capable of receiving warships of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. The base features semi-underground ammunition storage depots, a 1,300-foot-long helicopter pad, and a dock for receiving amphibious landing ships.

Does the Chinese military base have something to do with the laser strikes? That’s a serious accusation. For force protection purposes, China almost certainly limits who can get within 750 meters of the base by sea. The People’s Liberation Army has made a big show of how much firepower it can deploy to defend the base. It’s hard to imagine some mischievous civilian painting U.S. military aircraft with lasers but not Chinese military aircraft, or the Chinese base on the ground. Whatever is going on, it’s difficult to imagine the Chinese base not being aware of it.

Via Jane's.

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