The U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed on Tuesday that Border Patrol aircraft have fallen victim to deliberate laser attacks on a minimum of six occasions since October. The agency disclosed that its Air and Marine Operations helicopter was the latest target of a laser strike on February 9th. This incident occurred while Air Interdiction Agents were carrying out border security operations near the McAllen International Airport in Texas. The patrol AS-350 helicopter was struck three times by a laser originating from a vehicle on the Mexican riverbank, as stated in a news release by the CBP.
Another alarming incident of laser targeting was reported in Jacksonville, Florida, on January 9th, involving the same type of helicopter. The news release mentioned that one individual was apprehended in connection with the offense. The CBP highlighted that directing a laser into an aircraft cockpit is a serious federal offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Fortunately, no injuries were documented in any of the reported incidents, although the agency warned about the potential risks associated with tiny laser beams, which could result in temporary or permanent blindness, leading to accidents or other dangerous situations. In December 2024, the FBI issued a cautionary statement following a surge in cases of pilots being targeted with lasers aimed at their eyes.
Authorities at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey disclosed that there were a distressing total of 15 laser strikes within a span of just 10 days that month. These incidents were attributed to individuals on the ground mistaking aircraft for unmanned aerial vehicles or drones.
The Federal Aviation Administration has noted a concerning rise in laser incidents in recent years. In 2024, there were a staggering 12,840 reported cases, although slightly lower than the record-breaking figure reported in 2023. The agency continues to emphasize the severity of such actions and the potential dangers posed by laser attacks on aircraft.
In other news, discover what the former head of the National Archives had to say before her dismissal. Explore the challenges of policing the internet in Germany, where hate speech and insults are considered criminal offenses, as featured in a segment on 60 Minutes. Additionally, delve into the controversial decision by the Trump administration to terminate thousands of U.S. Forest and National Park Service workers.
