Iranian Navy ship shines laser on U.S. Marine helicopter
A Marine helicopter was conducting routine operations when an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy ship directed a laser at it. There were no injuries or damage related to the incident. The aircraft was operating from the USS Bataan, which is on a scheduled deployment in the area.
From Fox News:
An Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy ship repeatedly shined a laser at a U.S. AH-1Z Viper attack Marine helicopter that was flying in international airspace over the Arabian Gulf on Wednesday, according to the United States Navy.
The helicopter was conducting routine operations, according to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command spokesperson Commander Rick Chernitzer.
“This unsafe, unprofessional, and irresponsible behavior by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy risks U.S. and partner nation lives and needs to cease immediately,” Chernitzer said in a statement to Fox News.
There were no damages or injuries reported.
The interaction took place at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time. The aircraft is attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (Reinforced), deployed aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), on a scheduled deployment to the Middle East Region.
“These are not the actions of a professional maritime force,” Chernitzer said. “U.S. naval forces remain vigilant and will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows while promoting regional maritime security.”
Fox News provides additional information here.
They are the actions of a force bent on intimidation. Why expect “professionalism” from a bunch of third world terrorists? Perhaps a laser designator followed by a laser seeker head might dissuade them from doing it again.
I like the way you think, but that’d be a big waste of money (and weapons we don’t have since we sent em all to Ukraine.. the majority of their “fleet” is not much more than Boston Whalers.. a short burst of 30mm would do the trick..
Yup. Quick, efficient, cost effective.
Or just get a bigger laser.
Drop 1 ea. Acme anvil from about 200 ft.
And the Iranians know full well they can act with impunity because the socialist democrat regime currently in power has neither the will nor the smarts to be able to deal with any such situation.
You forgot to add stones to go along with the will and the smart part of your statement.
The Iranians would crap themselves if we were to fire off a weapon that tracked off their little laser back to the source.
Don’t we have some equipment that also operate by lasers? Now, where did we put those when the shed and the garage got cleaned/straightened 🤔
My first impression of seafaring “professionalism” in the Gulf was the Phillipino Monkey yelling insults about my CO’s mother over the shipboard radio during my first underway in the Northern Arabian Gulf.
Sink them on sight, pick up no survivors.
Shit would end overnight.
They certainly learned something from having some of their oil rigs sunk that last go around.
Calmed right down.
Not a chance in hell it would end overnight.
Drones and missiles are cheap and easy technology.
Lots of easy friendly targets out there.
You know…the proxy thingy.
Life, limb or sight.
ROE
These days lasers can take down an aircraft.
The gunship should have sank the gunboat.
Problem solved.
They’d just buy another gunboat, it’s not like they’re hurtin’ for $$$
Next time, fire a shot across the bow. Second shot to the transom and let them drift aimlessly. 3rd shot just below the water line if the first 2 messages go unheeded.
The IRGC Navy unprofessional? Say it ain’t so!
Sink ‘Em…
Is that kinda like a pipeline in international waters?
“Shade Three, this is Nemo…the target is lit.” “Copy, Nemo, Weapons Free…bird away…tracking…tracking (water shattering KA-BOOOOM!)” “Shade Three, this is Nemo…target is negated…Scratch one pirate…”
Use one of those ginsu Hellfires, the Iranians seem especially fond of those.
“FEMA Emergency Alert Test To Hit Americans’ Phones This Week”
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/americans-cell-phones-receive-emergency-alert-test-this-week
“Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission are planning to test both the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on Wednesday, October 4, at 2:20 p.m. Eastern. The test will be conducted in two parts, with one set to go to cell phones and the other to radio and TV stations.”
“Phones with Spanish as the default language setting will receive a message saying “ESTA ES UNA Prueba del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”
Will turning off the phone avoid it?
Nothing burger, except for that annoying noise my phone makes anytime there is an emergency alert.
I have as my ringtone the tone from The Purge.
I looked up and smiled. Strange how I either got looks of horror or laughs when it came up.
FWIW, that’s a pretty cool looking go-fast boat.
Only a fool would trifle with a military helicopter or the US Bataan. I got a Tiger Cruise on the Bataan somewhere around 20 years ago. Very impressive operation and crew, even got picked up on the beach and taken aboard on hover craft. Now that is a noisy device, at least equal to an MRI machine!
Gives new meaning to the term, “light ’em up!”
Every time Donks are in power, Iranians get emboldened.
FAFO, I guess. Start date 1/20/25.