Lasers force Coast Guard heli pilots to abort missions
In two recent incidents in Michigan, a person or persons on the ground pointed green lasers at Coast Guard helicopters, endangering the flights and forcing crews to return immediately to base.
A Coast Guard helicopter was on a training mission at 8:15 p.m. Oct. 17 when the pilot and co-pilot spotted a green laser directed at the aircraft, the Coast Guard said yesterday. They turned the helicopter away and returned to the air station. A similar incident occurred at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 20, in a nearby Township. On both occasions, the lasers appeared to “track” the helicopters as they moved.