Aviation and Airspace Security

The FAA abruptly issued a 10‑day temporary flight restriction closing airspace around El Paso after Customs and Border Protection, working with Pentagon personnel, deployed a high‑energy laser anti‑drone system near Fort Bliss without proper FAA coordination — a move that prompted an interagency clash and was reversed within hours. Officials’ accounts conflict (Transportation Secretary said a “cartel incursion” was neutralized while FBI and other sources say objects hit included party/Valentine’s balloons), the shutdown disrupted commercial and medical flights, and the episode exposed gaps in rules and information‑sharing for using powerful counter‑drone weapons in civilian airspace.