Story by Sgt. Crystal Reidy -

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Sgt. Chris M. Horvath, a truck commander with B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, was headed north bound on a supply route during a convoy escort mission when he was hit.

He wasn’t hit by an enemy with small arms fire; he was lased by a fellow Soldier with a green laser system. Coalition forces use many different types of laser systems varying in power from safe (5 milliwatts of energy) to extremely hazardous (105 mw). The lasers are a non-lethal weapon used as an escalation of force tool during convoy operations.

Horvath, of McKinney, Texas, said he saw the laser pass through the window twice. He and other Soldiers in his truck had severe migraines for 48 hours but felt lucky because they didn’t have permanent eye damage.

Recently, Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) commanding general, stated that safety and force protection of Soldiers is paramount. He said green laser incidents can be prevented with proper training, complete awareness and direct leadership involvement from all leaderswithin the 3rd ESC.

The word laser means light amplified by stimulated emission of radiation. The laser burns whatever it comes in contact with, especially soft tissue like eyes, said Capt. Russell Harris, the B Troop commander and native of Denison, Texas.

Since November of 2008, the 3d ESC 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.

A message from the acting Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps said there has been an increase of friendly-on-friendly laser eye incidents reported in Iraq. The report states the incidents appear to occur when units first arrive in theater.

Harris said he had never heard of eye laser incidents prior to arriving in Iraq until last December. He said he feels there is a lack of training for Soldiers on the dangers of laser

Harris said laser incidents can be eliminated through knowledge and ongoing training from their units. Soldiers should never intentionally point the laser at anyone except an aggressor.

Galson said laser safety should be briefed during the rules of engagement and escalation of force procedures.

“The intent of the laser is to assist the gunner with stand-off distance and to warn non-military vehicles as they encroach upon coalition convoys,” Harris said.

Horvath said Soldiers need to remember that lasers are weapons and should never be used against coalition forces.

The SG report said lasers are dangerous at all times but the effects can differ from day to night time. During the day, a laser may look like a photoflash and persist for a few minutes. During nighttime operations, the viewing of lasers may impair a Soldier’s night vision for up to 30 minutes.

Commanders and leaders must ensure their personnel are thoroughly familiar with laser hazards, Galson said.

Harris said the best defense to a crew member being lased is to avert their eyes and contact the person employing the laser to discontinue its use.

“The incident should be reported immediately to the Soldier’s unit,” Harris said. The unit needs to conduct remedial training to ensure the Soldier employing the laser system is aware of the proper usage as a non-lethal weapon and should never be used on friendly forces.”

The SG report states all major laser incidents in Iraq have been investigated and none were attributed to enemy activity. All laser injuries have been accidently self-inflicted or were attributed to improper lasering of friendly forces.

“We are all U.S. Soldiers, you would never point your rifle at another Soldier, don’t point your laser,” Horvath said.