Military officials and the Federal Aviation Administration have joined forces for specialized laser testing in New Mexico following a pair of February incidents that resulted in unexpected airspace shutdowns across Texas.
According to a Friday military announcement, the collaborative testing took place over the weekend at White Sands Missile Range and was designed to “specifically address FAA safety concerns” that emerged from previous operations.
Congressional leaders expressed frustration over what appeared to be poor communication between agencies after the Defense Department permitted U.S. Customs and Border Protection to operate anti-drone laser technology in early February without informing aviation officials. The lack of notification prompted the FAA to shut down airspace above El Paso for several hours, leaving numerous passengers stranded.
According to the Trump administration, the military action was part of efforts to counter drone incursions by Mexican cartels, which frequently occur along the southern border region.
A second incident occurred on February 26 when military personnel used laser technology to destroy what they perceived as a “seemingly threatening” drone operating near the U.S.-Mexico boundary. Congressional sources later revealed the destroyed aircraft actually belonged to Customs and Border Protection.
This mishap triggered another FAA airspace closure, this time affecting the area surrounding Fort Hancock, located approximately 50 miles southeast of El Paso.
“We appreciate the coordination with the Department of War to help ensure public safety,” the FAA stated regarding the joint testing initiative. “The FAA and DOW are working with interagency partners to address emerging threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems while maintaining the safety of the National Airspace System.”
Current regulations require military forces to provide formal notification to the FAA whenever counter-drone measures are deployed within domestic airspace.
Illinois Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who serves as the ranking member of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee, has previously demanded an independent investigation into both February events.
