Chinese sailors watch a People’s LIberation Army Navy (PLAN) pull into Djibouti. Xinhua Photo
A recently completed pier at the Chinese naval base near the entrance to the Red Sea is large enough to support an aircraft carrier, the top U.S. commander for Africa told lawmakers on Tuesday. Read More
Chinese sailors watch a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) pull into Djibouti. Xinhua Photo
The head of naval forces in the Middle East said Chinese actions in the region don’t pose a threat today but could lead to challenges down the road, with China laying the groundwork to gain economic and military leverage over countries in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Read More
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 22 (NMCB 22) and Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, assigned to the San-Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD-18) unloads equipment off Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 43 and 62, on the beach of Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti in 2016. US Navy Photo
Camp Lemonier, the American base in Djibouti, is becoming more integral to U.S. interests in the volatile region surrounding the Red Sea, a leading regional expert said Thursday. Read More
A Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), lands aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) in Mediterranean Sea during exercise Juniper Cobra 2018. US Marine Corps photo.
This post has been updated to include additional information from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
All U.S. military air operations in Djibouti are on hold and an exercise taking place in and around Djibouti has been canceled following two aviation mishaps on Tuesday. Read More
A U.S. Marine AV-8B Harrier II aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced) takes off during a Stinger trainer launch simulator aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) on March 23, 2018. US Marine Corps Photo
This post has been updated to correct the date USS Iwo Jima entered U.S. 5th Fleet. It was March 27, not March 29.
A Marine pilot is in stable condition after an AV-8B Harrier jet crashed during takeoff in Djibouti during an exercise on Tuesday, a U.S. Navy official told USNI News. Read More
International forces are set to assess the situation of an oil tanker allegedly seized by Somali pirates on Monday, a U.S. defense official told USNI News on Tuesday. Read More
A PLAN ship operating in Africa in March of 2015. Reuters Photo
The head of U.S. Africa Command confirmed China is establishing a forward military base in Djibouti — joining French, Japanese and U.S. installations already in the country. Read More
U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepares to land aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS the Mesa Verde (LPD-19) on Aug. 4, 2014. US Navy Photo
A Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed in route from an African U.S. military base in Africa to the amphibious warship USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said on Monday. Read More
