The U.S. military successfully intercepted a drone perceived as a threat near the U.S.-Mexico border using a laser on Thursday. The drone was later identified as belonging to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This action led to the closure of additional airspace around Fort Hancock, Texas, approximately 80 kilometers southeast of El Paso, as per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directives. The military is obligated to inform the FAA formally when engaging in counter-drone activities within U.S. airspace.
This incident marked the second recent use of a laser in the area, with the previous instance involving CBP and no impact on the target. The earlier event occurred near Fort Bliss and resulted in the closure of air traffic at El Paso airport and its vicinity by the FAA. However, the recent airspace closure was more contained, with no disruption to commercial flights.
Reacting to the situation, Washington U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and two other senior Democrats from key House committees expressed astonishment upon receiving official notification. They criticized the Trump administration for bypassing a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing drone operator training and inter-agency communication between the Pentagon, FAA, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) encompassing CBP.
In defense of the anti-drone laser deployment, the FAA, CBP, and Pentagon issued a joint statement recognizing the military’s use of counter-unmanned aircraft system measures to address a potentially threatening drone within military airspace. The action was taken away from populated areas and commercial flight paths as part of border security reinforcement efforts.
The collaboration between the Department of Defense, FAA, and Customs and Border Patrol was highlighted in the statement, emphasizing efforts to counter drone threats posed by Mexican cartels and foreign terrorist groups along the U.S.-Mexico border. The previous El Paso airspace closure, though brief, caused concerns, with initial plans for a more extended shutdown averted due to potential flight disruptions.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a member of the Senate’s aviation subcommittee, called for an independent inquiry into the incident, criticizing the administration’s handling of airspace security issues. The need for improved coordination among federal agencies was underscored by Congress members following a tragic midair collision near Washington, D.C., in 2025.
The Safer Skies Act, passed two months ago, expanded the authority to neutralize rogue drones to more law enforcement entities, including select state and local departments, provided proper training is in place. The U.S. government allocated significant funding to enhance state readiness against drone threats, with additional grants planned to bolster national drone defense capabilities.
Authorities cited concerns regarding the use of drones by Mexican drug cartels to surveil the border, emphasizing the growing threat drones pose to aviation safety globally. Various anti-drone systems, including radio signal jammers and laser technologies, are being utilized to counter this escalating risk, with an increasing focus on enhancing domestic airspace security.