FAA closes Fort Hancock airspace after drone friendly fire incident
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a flight ban in the area around Fort Hancock, Texas, citing "special security instructions." This decision follows reports that a military counter-drone laser system accidentally shot down a U.S. government aircraft near the border with Mexico.
According to Congressional sources, the Pentagon is believed to have been using a high-energy laser system and mistakenly fired upon a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone. This area is a known hotspot where drones from Mexico, operated by drug cartels, frequently appear, necessitating strict airspace protection measures against drone threats.
Currently, both the FAA and the Pentagon have not provided official comments on the incident. Meanwhile, the CBP and the White House have not yet issued specific responses to media requests for further information.
Criticism over lack of coordination between government agencies
Representatives Rick Larsen, Bennie Thompson, and Andre Carson released a joint statement confirming the downing of the CBP drone. The lawmakers also harshly criticized the lack of close coordination between the Department of Defense and civil aviation regulators regarding the operation of experimental weapons.
The FAA notice states that the ban applies to all flights in the Fort Hancock area, except for medical emergencies or search and rescue operations. This restriction is expected to remain in effect until June 24 to ensure absolute airspace safety, similar to ground stop procedures previously implemented at major airports during security incidents.
Fort Hancock is located about 50 miles from El Paso, a region that has also seen concerning border security incidents, such as the Department of Homeland Security agent shooting in Texas that drew public attention. Previously, the FAA had to briefly pause operations at El Paso airport due to concerns over U.S. military counter-drone laser system testing.
Although the government informed congressional offices of the incident late on February 26, specific details leading to the drone shoot-down have not been released. Experts are currently assessing the extent of the damage and reviewing safety protocols before fully lifting the flight restrictions.
