Alaska Woman Sentenced for Shining Laser at Military Helicopters

2024 incident occurred when Canadian military personnel were flying two CH-146 Griffon helicopters as part of a joint operation with the U.S.

Amelia Walsh

Friday, February 28, 2025 at 09:46 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

During the 2024 incident, a military pilot reported being targeted by a laser while flying at around 4,000 feet. [Credit: FAA]

Key Takeaways:

An Alaska woman, Heide Goodermote, was sentenced to three years of probation for shining a powerful Class 3B laser at U.S.-Canadian military helicopters.
The incident occurred on February 11, 2024, near Delta Junction, causing eye injuries to Canadian aircrew members.
Goodermote admitted to the act, claiming the aircraft had no right to fly over her cabin, and a high-powered laser was confiscated from her residence.
She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assaulting officers or employees engaged in official duties.

See a mistake? Contact us.

An Alaska woman has been sentenced to three years of probation for interfering with a joint U.S.-Canadian military operation by shining a laser at helicopters, as reported by the The Associated Press.

According to the U.S. District Attorney’s office in Alaska, the incident occurred on February 11, 2024, when Canadian military personnel were flying two CH-146 Griffon helicopters as part of a joint operation with the U.S.