A lasing apparatus includes a laser medium and a pump source. The laser medium includes one of a Holmium-doped fluoride crystal or a Holmium-doped fluorozirconate ZBLAN glass fiber. The pump source generates pulses that resonantly pump the laser medium such that the laser medium produces an output from the .sup.5I.sub.5 level to the .sup.5I.sub.7 level of Holmium. The pump source produces pulses having a duration that is at least as long as a storage time of the .sup.5I.sub.5 level of the laser medium. The pump source pumps the laser medium with signals having a wavelength shorter than 1.67 .mu.m, with the laser medium producing an output having a wavelength of about 1.67 .mu.m.