Several recent incidents involving people pointing lasers at Selfridge-based helicopters operated by the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have led to the offer of a $1,000 reward.

An incident occurred April 20 in Casco Township during a training mission for a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, Coast Guard officials said. The previous week, an AS-350 helicopter operated by CBP’s Air and Marine Operations unit was also illuminated by a laser near 23 Mile Road and Interstate 94 in Chesterfield Township.

Although the aircrews in both cases were able to return to Selfridge and land safely, lasers present a serious risk to aviator safety and can cause pilots to suffer flash blindness and other sudden vision problems, as well as permanent vision damage. Helicopter pilots working at low altitudes or taking off and landing are at particular risk.

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If the vision of any aircrew member is compromised by a laser strike, Coast Guard rules require the aircraft to abort its mission. Such a delay during a search and rescue case can cost lives, officials said.

“I'm not sure everyone in the general public fully appreciates how dangerous a laser incident can be to a flight crew,” said Capt. Jared King, commanding officer of the Coast Guard’s Air Station Detroit. “Not only can it prevent us from being able to respond to a mariner in distress, but it could prevent the aircrew from safely being able to land the aircraft. While it may seem trivial to someone on the ground, it could result in a very tragic outcome.”

Marc Sledge, director of Air and Marine Operations for CBP’s Great Lakes Air and Marine Branch, agreed.

“These individuals that have targeted our aircraft with lasers need to realize they are committing a federal offense while also jeopardizing our pilots’ vision and life,” Sledge said. “I am glad that none of the pilots were injured in these recent cases, and we will continue to work with the FBI and FAA to find and identify the perpetrators.”

Members of the public who witness someone committing this federal crime, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, are encouraged to immediately call 911 to report the incident. Anyone with information about the April cases, or a similar case involving another Coast Guard helicopter in Chesterfield Township on March 17, is urged to leave an anonymous tip using the Coast Guard Investigative Service’s CGIS TIPS app, which is available free on Apple’s app store and Google Play for Android devices. Tips can also be left directly at the website: p3tips.com/878.

— Katelyn Larese, MediaNews Group

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