Laser Alert Disrupts Portland Air Ambulance Landings Amid Increased Federal Activity

Recently, a call for participants to project laser lights into the sky to interfere with federal helicopters in South Portland has raised serious safety concerns. The online campaign, promoted on a local anarchist information platform, encouraged a “laser tag” event targeting federal aircraft. Participants were advised to mask their identities by wearing gloves, cleaning laser pointers with alcohol, and disposing of items carefully to avoid detection.

In response, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) reported that several air ambulance services refused to land on its rooftop helipad on Saturday night. They redirected their flights to nearby airports, resulting in an additional 45 to 60 minutes of transit time by ground ambulance, which could negatively impact critical cases like trauma, strokes, or heart attacks.

OHSU clarified that the decision to divert was made by the ambulance providers, not the hospital. The Portland Police Bureau emphasized that aiming lasers at aircraft endangers pilots and ground personnel and is illegal under federal and state law. The police also noted that they regularly arrest individuals for targeting aircraft with lasers and confirmed no laser strikes occurred that night, despite increased aerial activity in the area.

The Port of Portland acknowledged the heightened activity of helicopters and propeller aircraft in the region, attributing it to federal or military operations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemned the call to target aircraft with lasers, reiterating that such actions are federal crimes that jeopardize safety.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin warned that aiming lasers at aircraft is dangerous and illegal, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat domestic terrorism. She reaffirmed that law enforcement will pursue anyone involved in such dangerous activities.

Oregon’s governor, Tina Kotek, disputed claims of widespread disorder, stating, “There is no insurrection,” and expressed confidence in local law enforcement. She also reiterated that federal operations should comply with Oregon law.