lasers helicopters disaster making stephen greene 2005 flying small city northern california helicopter repeatedly lasered powerful green laser happened pilots occurred dozens times happen various locations small city tried apprehend culprit using tactical radios ems helicopter contact law enforcement eventually pinpointing location police able capture eighteen year old high school student punishment letter apology happened current outbreak lot easier hit aircraft laser bullet shining laser like spraying hose just target shooting helicopter thousand feet pretty hard having said mid 80s ems helicopter i flew did hit bullet flying san jose