Whoops: US military laser strike takes down CBP drone near Mexican border

In a surprising turn of events, the US military mistakenly shot down a drone operated by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) near the Mexican border. This incident involved a laser-based anti-drone system, which the military deployed in an area frequently penetrated by drones linked to drug cartels. According to congressional aides who spoke to Reuters, the Pentagon utilized this high-energy laser to disable the CBP drone. These drones are typically employed to monitor individuals crossing the border. Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed temporary flight restrictions in the vicinity, specifically around Fort Hancock, Texas, citing special security concerns. These restrictions will remain in effect until June 24, though they could be lifted sooner. Confusion surrounds the exact timing of the event, with The New York Times indicating it occurred on Thursday, while Bloomberg reported that the FAA was informed the day before. Sources suggest that the Defense Department was unaware that the drone belonged to CBP at the time of the strike and had not coordinated the use of the laser system with the FAA beforehand. The military's lack of communication with the FAA has raised concerns, particularly as CBP drone operators failed to alert the military’s laser unit prior to the operation. Consequently, the military regarded the drone as an unidentified aircraft. This incident is reminiscent of another recent FAA airspace closure over El Paso, which resulted in significant flight disruptions. In February, CBP had also used a similar laser technology, mistakenly targeting what it thought was a drone, only to find it was a party balloon. In both occurrences, the use of lasers was executed without FAA approval, leading aviation safety experts to criticize this as a potential violation of regulations. Democratic lawmakers have voiced their concerns regarding the situation, with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) expressing dismay over the Trump administration's handling of aviation safety. She described the events as alarming and called for a comprehensive independent investigation.