politics
February 12, 2026
El Paso Airport Closed After Military Used New Anti-Drone Laser to Zap Party Balloon
“I want to be very, very clear that this should’ve never happened.”
TL;DR
- The FAA closed airspace near El Paso International Airport for 10 days, citing a cartel drone incursion.
- The airspace was reopened less than 10 hours later.
- The incident involved a military test of an anti-drone laser that targeted a party balloon.
- The FAA had unresolved safety concerns about the military tests.
- The closure was enacted without consulting local or state officials, causing outrage.
- Cartel drone use for surveillance and smuggling assistance is a growing concern along the US border.
- The military is exploring alternatives like high-energy lasers due to the impracticality of shooting down drones with conventional missiles, as seen in the war in Ukraine.
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