Arrests after ‘lasering’ Dutch Apache with laser-pen

KLU ApacheDutch military police arrested 5 men that used a laser-pen on a flying Apache helicopter gunship. The men were arrested in the surroundings of AFB Eindhoven with help of the same Apache helicopter.

The military police was dispatched around 22:00 hours yesterday evening after the message came in that persons were shining at Apache helicopters with laser-pens. With help of air traffic control contact was made with the pilots of the Apache that used their night vision equipment to lead the police to the suspects near a tennis-park in Veldhoven.

After confirmation of the pilots that they were the persons using the laser-pen, the police arrested them. After hearing the men they were released.

Pilots can be blinded temporarily by a laser, also their sight can be seriously damaged. Both situations are very dangerous. Lately there are more incidents with lasers ‘targeting’ aircraft, it’s becoming a dangerous problem specially in the surroundings of Airports. 

Source: Royal Dutch Air Force