Alaska Woman Receives Sentence for Laser Attack on Canadian Military Aircrew Resulting in Injuries

A woman from Delta Junction, Alaska, has been sentenced to three years of probation for using a powerful laser to disrupt a joint military operation, resulting in injuries to three Canadian aircrew members.

According to a statement from the U.S. District Attorney’s office in Alaska, Canadian military aircrews were participating in a joint operation with the United States on Feb. 11, 2024, when one of the pilots reported that a laser had been pointed at their aircraft.

Court documents reveal that the laser hit the aircraft when they were flying at about 1,280 meters. As they landed at Allen Army Airfield near Delta Junction, the aircraft was targeted again, allowing the crew to identify the source of the laser.

Police visited the home where the laser originated and found Heide Goodermote inside. She admitted to pointing the laser at the helicopters, claiming they had no right to fly over her property.

A Class 3B laser, capable of causing immediate eye damage or skin burns, was seized from the home. The Canadian aircrew suffered injuries to their eyes as a result of the laser attack.

Goodermote pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assaulting officers or employees engaged in official duties. She was then sentenced to probation in an Alaskan court last week.

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Kathryn Vogel, the first assistant U.S. attorney in Alaska, expressed gratitude that the laser incident did not result in significant loss of life or property.

Vogel stated, “Ms. Goodermote wrongly believed the helicopters had no right to fly over her property and decided to take matters into her own hands by shining a dangerous laser at the helicopters and crew that could have caused serious damage.”

She further added, “This case should serve as a reminder that jeopardizing the well-being of others engaged in official duties, such as a joint military exercise with foreign allies, is a punishable offense.”