US Military Downs Border Drone Over Texas
U.S. military forces shot down a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone over Texas, according to state lawmakers. The incident, which led to a temporary closure of local airspace, has raised questions about interagency coordination and protocols for unmanned aerial systems operating near sensitive areas.
The friendly fire incident occurred near Fort Hancock, Texas, a community directly on the U.S.-Mexico border, south of El Paso. The weapon system involved was reportedly a high-energy laser designed to counter unmanned aircraft systems. This marks the second time in February 2026 that the use of anti-drone systems has led to airspace restrictions in the El Paso area. Just over two weeks prior, the FAA briefly shut down airspace near El Paso International Airport after a counter-drone laser was deployed. In that earlier event, the object targeted was later reported to have been a party balloon. In a joint statement, the Defense Department, CBP, and the FAA said the military employed counter-drone authorities to mitigate what was perceived as a "seemingly threatening" unmanned aerial system in military airspace. The engagement occurred away from populated areas, and no commercial aircraft were in the vicinity. The incident drew a sharp rebuke from Democratic members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Reps. Rick Larsen, Bennie Thompson, and André Carson issued a joint statement saying, "Our heads are exploding over the news," blaming the event on a lack of interagency coordination and what they termed "incompetence." Lawmakers had previously warned against the White House's decision to bypass a bipartisan bill aimed at improving training for counter-UAS operators and addressing coordination issues between the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FAA. U.S. Customs and Border Protection operates a variety of drones, from smaller reconnaissance models to large, military-grade MQ-9 Predator B aircraft, for surveillance and intelligence gathering along the border. Their drone pilots are required to be licensed and undergo specific training on the systems they operate.
