US military pilots in the Pacific are being targeted by lasers after
similar incidents in Africa
Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft fly
with a Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) F-2 fighter jet over the East
China Sea on July 7, 2017. Reuters
Pilots of US military aircraft
operating in the Pacific Ocean have reportedly been targeted by lasers more than
20 times in recent months, US officials told The Wall Street
Journal.
This report comes not long after the Pentagon accused the
Chinese military of using lasers against US pilots in Djibouti.
The US
officials said they do not currently believe the Chinese military is behind
these incidents, but also couldn't totally rule it out given the recent issues
in Djibouti.
Pilots of US military aircraft operating in the Pacific
Ocean have reportedly been targeted by lasers more than 20 times in recent
months, US officials told The Wall Street Journal.
All of the incidents
occurred near the East China Sea, the officials said, where Chinese military and
civilians often operate in part to buttress their nation's extensive
claims.
This report comes not long after the Pentagon accused the Chinese
military of using lasers against US pilots in Djibouti. The pilots suffered
minor eye injuries as a result, but China denied any involvement.
It's
unclear who is behind these activities in the Pacific and the officials said the
lasers used were commercial-grade, such as laser pointers often used for
briefings and even playing with cats, as opposed to the military-grade lasers
used against the US pilots in East Africa.
The lasers were reportedly
pointed at the US aircraft from fishing boats, some of which were
Chinese-flagged vessels.
The US officials said they do not currently
believe the Chinese military is behind these incidents, but also couldn't
totally rule it out given the recent issues in Djibouti.
They added it's
possible Chinese fisherman or people from "other countries in the region" could
simply be doing this to harass American pilots.
It's also not clear what
type of aircraft were targeted.
After the incidents in Djibouti, the
Pentagon in May issued a formal complaint to China and called on its government
to investigate.
In response, China's Defense Ministry said, "We have
already refuted the untrue criticisms via official channels. The Chinese side
consistently strictly abides by international law and laws of the local country,
and is committed to protecting regional security and stability."
Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying added that the government had
performed "serious checks," adding: "You can remind the relevant U.S. person to
keep in mind the truthfulness of what they say, and to not swiftly speculate or
make accusations."
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