The Pentagon’s laser deployment near El Paso caused a FAA airspace closure, disrupting flights and exposing interagency coordination failures.

The Pentagon authorized U.S. Customs and Border Protection to deploy an anti-drone laser near El Paso, Texas, on February 11, 2026, prompting the FAA to temporarily close airspace over the city for several hours due to safety concerns. The closure, initially expected to last 10 days, disrupted flights, canceled arrivals and departures, and rerouted medical evacuations. The incident stemmed from a lack of coordination between the Pentagon and FAA over the use of military lasers to counter drones believed to be used by Mexican cartels for drug smuggling. Lawmakers criticized the federal government for failing to provide advance notice or clear explanations.