GIs blinded, hospitalized by laser ‘friendly fire’
MAR 30, 2009
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.023197
Wired : An American solider was blinded in one eye and three others required medical evacuation out of Iraq in a series of laser “friendly fire” incidents, the US military has disclosed. These injuries could be the result of the misuse of green laser dazzlers — and because the lasers being used are dangerous.Since November 2008, a single unit in Iraq “has experienced 12 green laser incidents involving 14 soldiers and varying degrees of injury. Three soldiers required medical evacuation out of Iraq and one soldier is now blind in one eye,” writes Sgt. Crystal Reidy, from the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), or ESC.
© 2009. American Institute of Physics