CBP fires laser at balloons
5h
CBP fired a laser at objects believed to be cartel drones over El Paso, prompting the FAA to close airspace for hours until they proved to be party balloons.
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According to multiple NYT sources, it wasn’t even military personnel at Fort Bliss that fired an anti-drone laser at alleged cartel drones. It was CBP who used the weapon on loan from DoD against a child’s party balloon they mistook for a drone. The Pentagon gave CBP an anti-aircraft weapon.
February 12, 2026 at 3:28 AM
According to multiple NYT sources, it wasn’t even military personnel at Fort Bliss that fired an anti-drone laser at alleged cartel drones. It was CBP who used the weapon on loan from DoD against a child’s party balloon they mistook for a drone. The Pentagon gave CBP an anti-aircraft weapon.
So the DOD started laser testing because they believed party balloons were drones, shut down all of El Paso airspace, and blamed it on Mexican cartels?
February 11, 2026 at 6:06 PM
So the DOD started laser testing because they believed party balloons were drones, shut down all of El Paso airspace, and blamed it on Mexican cartels?
BREAKING: The Pentagon let Customs and Border Protection use an anti-drone laser before the FAA closed El Paso airspace, AP sources say.
FAA closes airspace around El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, grounding all flights
The Federal Aviation Administration is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport.
bit.ly
February 12, 2026 at 12:35 AM
BREAKING: The Pentagon let Customs and Border Protection use an anti-drone laser before the FAA closed El Paso airspace, AP sources say.
The FAA is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport, for “special security reasons."
The FAA's notice did not provide additional details.
The FAA's notice did not provide additional details.
FAA closes airspace around El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, grounding all flights
The Federal Aviation Administration is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport.
bit.ly
February 11, 2026 at 10:57 AM
The FAA is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport, for “special security reasons."
The FAA's notice did not provide additional details.
The FAA's notice did not provide additional details.
CBP shot down party balloons with anti-drone tech before FAA closed El Paso airspace, sources say www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
CBP shot down party balloons with anti-drone tech before FAA closed El Paso airspace, sources say
The airspace was suddenly closed after CBP officials didn't coordinate with FAA officials, four people familiar with the matter said.
www.nbcnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:18 PM
CBP shot down party balloons with anti-drone tech before FAA closed El Paso airspace, sources say www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
So DOD risked civilian airspace to obliterate some fucking balloons; when FAA found out and asked them to stop they refused; FAA did what it had to keep people safe; when the public rightly freaked out, DOD relented, lied, and blamed the FAA.
Sounds like Hegseth!
www.cnn.com/2026/02/11/u...
Sounds like Hegseth!
www.cnn.com/2026/02/11/u...
February 11, 2026 at 10:58 PM
So DOD risked civilian airspace to obliterate some fucking balloons; when FAA found out and asked them to stop they refused; FAA did what it had to keep people safe; when the public rightly freaked out, DOD relented, lied, and blamed the FAA.
Sounds like Hegseth!
www.cnn.com/2026/02/11/u...
Sounds like Hegseth!
www.cnn.com/2026/02/11/u...
🤡🤡🤡 "The abrupt closure of El Paso’s airspace late Tuesday was precipitated when Customs and Border Protection officials deployed an anti-drone laser on loan from the Department of Defense without giving aviation officials enough time to assess the risks to commercial aircraft" 🤡🤡🤡
"C.B.P. officials thought they were firing on a cartel drone, the people said, but it turned out to be a party balloon."
Border Officials Are Said to Have Caused El Paso Closure by Firing Anti-Drone Laser
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:26 AM
🤡🤡🤡 "The abrupt closure of El Paso’s airspace late Tuesday was precipitated when Customs and Border Protection officials deployed an anti-drone laser on loan from the Department of Defense without giving aviation officials enough time to assess the risks to commercial aircraft" 🤡🤡🤡
MS NOW: "A congressional official with knowledge of the matter is telling MS NOW the cause of the shutdown of El Paso airspace is a lack of communication between the Pentagon and FAA. The official told us the FAA and DOD are 'not in clear communications with each other.'"
February 11, 2026 at 2:22 PM
MS NOW: "A congressional official with knowledge of the matter is telling MS NOW the cause of the shutdown of El Paso airspace is a lack of communication between the Pentagon and FAA. The official told us the FAA and DOD are 'not in clear communications with each other.'"
Reposted by John R. Hutchinson, Michael Zimmer
I am increasingly scared of flying and this does not help.
The reason the El Paso Airport was closed, my colleagues report, is that federal agents shot a laser into the sky that could take down an airplane.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
The reason the El Paso Airport was closed, my colleagues report, is that federal agents shot a laser into the sky that could take down an airplane.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
February 12, 2026 at 4:58 PM
I am increasingly scared of flying and this does not help.
The reason the El Paso Airport was closed, my colleagues report, is that federal agents shot a laser into the sky that could take down an airplane.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
The reason the El Paso Airport was closed, my colleagues report, is that federal agents shot a laser into the sky that could take down an airplane.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
Closing of El Paso Airspace Adds to Tension Between F.A.A. and Pentagon www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/u...
Closing of El Paso Airspace Adds to Tension Between F.A.A. and Pentagon
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Closing of El Paso Airspace Adds to Tension Between F.A.A. and Pentagon www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/u...
what I most appreciate about this update: when I first heard of this story I *do* recall thinking "no this isn't dumb enough"
bsky.app/profile/tyle...
bsky.app/profile/tyle...
According to multiple NYT sources, it wasn’t even military personnel at Fort Bliss that fired an anti-drone laser at alleged cartel drones. It was CBP who used the weapon on loan from DoD against a child’s party balloon they mistook for a drone. The Pentagon gave CBP an anti-aircraft weapon.
February 12, 2026 at 1:45 PM
what I most appreciate about this update: when I first heard of this story I *do* recall thinking "no this isn't dumb enough"
bsky.app/profile/tyle...
bsky.app/profile/tyle...
Reposted by Michael D. McDonald, Aviel Roshwald
At the urging of my office, the FAA is rightfully lifting the Temporary Restricted Airspace.
I will again reiterate there is no threat to El Paso or the surrounding areas.
I will again reiterate there is no threat to El Paso or the surrounding areas.
February 11, 2026 at 2:02 PM
At the urging of my office, the FAA is rightfully lifting the Temporary Restricted Airspace.
I will again reiterate there is no threat to El Paso or the surrounding areas.
I will again reiterate there is no threat to El Paso or the surrounding areas.
Totally a normal thing that would happen in a constitutional democracy.
The FAA is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport, for “special security reasons."
The FAA's notice did not provide additional details.
The FAA's notice did not provide additional details.
FAA closes airspace around El Paso, Texas, for 10 days, grounding all flights
The Federal Aviation Administration is closing the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas for 10 days, grounding all flights to and from the airport.
bit.ly
February 11, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Totally a normal thing that would happen in a constitutional democracy.
As others have noted, it's the loss of govt credibility that really stands out here.
EL PASO, Texas (AP) — FAA says it has lifted temporary closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas, and all flights to resume.
February 11, 2026 at 2:24 PM
As others have noted, it's the loss of govt credibility that really stands out here.
Reposted by Steve Peers, Cullen S. Hendrix
"Hegseth's Pentagon gives CBP an anti-drone laser and they almost immediately misuse it to fire on a child's party balloon, shutting down local airspace," would be rejected as a side plot in Veep for being too unrealistic and too on the nose as a metaphor.
February 12, 2026 at 1:42 PM
"Hegseth's Pentagon gives CBP an anti-drone laser and they almost immediately misuse it to fire on a child's party balloon, shutting down local airspace," would be rejected as a side plot in Veep for being too unrealistic and too on the nose as a metaphor.
CBP shot down party balloons with anti-drone tech before FAA closed El Paso airspace, sources say — Good to know that there will no invasion of party balloons over US territory…🙄
February 13, 2026 at 5:34 AM
CBP shot down party balloons with anti-drone tech before FAA closed El Paso airspace, sources say — Good to know that there will no invasion of party balloons over US territory…🙄