El Paso Airspace Closure Triggered by Pentagon-FAA Dispute Over Drone Defense Tests
A sudden and brief closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas, was the result of escalating disagreements between the Federal Aviation Administration and the Pentagon regarding military drone defense exercises, multiple sources confirmed to CBS News. The incident highlights growing tensions over the integration of advanced military technology and civilian air traffic management.
The Pentagon had been meticulously planning the deployment of military technology near Fort Bliss, a major military installation adjacent to the El Paso International Airport, to practice intercepting drones. According to two sources, the technology employed in these exercises included a high-energy laser system. While meetings were scheduled to address potential safety concerns, Pentagon officials reportedly pushed for accelerated testing, asserting that they had met the requirements outlined in U.S. Code 130i, which governs the protection of critical facilities from unmanned aircraft.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford initiated the airspace closure Tuesday night without consulting officials at the White House, Pentagon, or Department of Homeland Security, sources revealed. Bedford communicated to other officials that the restrictions would remain in effect until the issues with the Department of Defense could be resolved. The FAA has so far declined to provide an official statement.
The initial NOTAM – a notice to air missions – issued to pilots and airlines mandated flights remain below 18,000 feet, a restriction mirroring the scale of those implemented following the 9/11 terror attacks. The FAA notice explicitly warned that any aircraft violating the restrictions risked being shot down. Customs and Border Protection had recently utilized the laser weapon, following training provided by the U.S. military, with officials granting a 10-day window for its operational use.
The anti-drone technology was deployed near the southern border in response to suspected foreign drones. However, the initial target turned out to be a party balloon, with sources indicating at least one balloon was intercepted and destroyed. While Mexican cartels have been increasingly utilizing drones along the border, the exact number of cartel drones impacted by the military’s anti-UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) technology remains unclear. One official confirmed that at least one cartel drone was successfully disabled.
The complete grounding of flights, including critical emergency medical evacuation services, prompted a rapid response from law enforcement agencies Wednesday morning as they sought to understand the rationale behind the security alert. The situation was discussed during a meeting at the office of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, after which the FAA swiftly lifted the restrictions.
Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that Pentagon and Department of Transportation officials had been coordinating on the military drone tests for months, with the FAA initially assured that commercial air travel would not be threatened. Airline officials were informed that the flight halt appeared to be a direct consequence of drone activity and the U.S. government’s efforts to counter it.
The airlines operated under the impression that the airspace closure was enacted as a precautionary measure, given the FAA’s inability to predict the flight paths of U.S. government drones, which were reportedly operating outside of established routes. The apparent lack of communication between the FAA and the Pentagon, particularly regarding the Pentagon’s use of Fort Bliss for anti-cartel drone operations, was a key factor in the situation. It remains uncertain whether any personnel will face disciplinary action as a result of the miscommunication.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy released a statement affirming, “The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion. The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region. The restrictions have been lifted and normal flights are resuming.”
The Pentagon declined to provide further details when questioned by CBS News regarding the number of drones targeted, the specific actions taken, or the timing of the operations. The FAA’s increased vigilance follows a mid-air collision over Washington, D.C. last year involving a U.S. Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet, underscoring the growing risks associated with drone activity in controlled airspace.
