Investigation Underway as American F-16s Hit with Lasers in Germany

This may be the “Season of Light,” but not in the way that some United States Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots might like. On at least three occasions, the multirole aircraft came under “laser attacks” when approaching a NATO air base in Germany this month. Two of the incidents reportedly occurred on December 2, which was followed by a third on December 9 at Spangdahlem Air Base.

German authorities have since launched an investigation into the laser beam attacks, which employed a “blue laser” aimed at the F-16s when the aircraft were several kilometers from the base and near the city of Trier.

“Such laser attacks can cause severe impairment, temporary visual disturbances, or eye injuries to pilots and therefore pose a high risk,” Trier police said in a statement released on Friday, per Newsweek.

US Air Force aircrews are now issued with eye protection due to the threat from lasers.

“Our pilots are well-trained for these scenarios and report the laser source’s location to the U.S. law enforcement and German police, with whom we are fully cooperating,” Master Sgt. Alex Riedel, a spokesperson for the 52nd Wing, said in comments reported by

visit website