A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) helicopter was recently attacked with a laser several times while patrolling the southern border with Mexico. Reports indicate the aircraft was targeted by a vehicle wielding the laser from the Mexico side of the border.
According to reports from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), the AS-350 helicopter on patrol approximately 13 miles west of McAllen International Airport in Texas was hit three times by a laser that was pointed at the aircraft from a vehicle positioned on a riverbank on the Mexican side of the boundary.
Reportedly, similar incidents have occurred numerous times over the past few months. “Six separate incidents over the past four months have forced Air Interdiction Agents assigned to Air and Marine Operations across the country to take evasive maneuvers after being targeted by lasers,” border patrol said in a Tuesday press release.
The statement continued, “In each incident the crew and aircraft were struck by a laser while performing border security operations. The most recent event took place approximately 13 miles west of the McAllen International Airport on Feb. 9. While on patrol an AS-350 helicopter was struck three times with a laser that originated from a vehicle on the Mexican riverbank.”
A helicopter was also recently attacked in Florida, where a suspect was apprehended and faces felony charges. “Another recent case on Jan. 9, involved an AS-350 helicopter in Jacksonville, Florida, resulting in the arrest of one individual who is now facing felony state charges related to aiming a laser at the aircraft,” authorities said.
Fortunately, the attacks against the helicopters have been without injury. “No pilots or crew were injured in these cases, and the laser sightings are being investigated. When laser beams are aimed at any piloted aircraft, whether military or commercial, what might seem like a tiny beam on the ground can blind aircrew, potentially causing a midair collision or other incident,” the statement explained.
Issuing a reminder about the legal consequences that can result from this crime, the press release concluded, “Air and Marine Operations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection would like to remind residents that owning a handheld laser isn’t illegal; but shining it into a cockpit is a federal crime. Someone convicted of interference with an aircraft can face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.”
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Last month, The American Tribune reported on comments from border czar Tom Homan, who warned of the “huge national security issue” at the southern border. Homan said, “President Trump has been clear, as I’ve been clear from day one, the president is going to concentrate on public safety threats and national security threats. And have you heard from your previous segments, we have a huge national security issue in this country.”
Watch Homan below:
“The Southwest border has become the biggest national security vulnerability we’ve seen in this nation. FBI Director Wray agrees with me. We know there’s people in this country who oppose the national security threat,” the border czar added. “They’ve arrested a record number of people on terrorist watch lists, a 3500% increase in people on the terrorist watch list being arrested at the border. We got over 2 million known gotaways. We know 2 million people crossed the border, weren’t arrested, weren’t vetted, weren’t fingerprinted.”