# Pentagon let CBP use anti-drone laser before FAA closed El Paso airspace, AP sources say

- Link: https://www.widthness.com/pentagon-let-cbp-use-anti-drone-laser-before-faa-closed-el-paso-airspace-ap-sources-say/
- Published: 2026-02-12T09:45:00-06:00
- Author: Curated by John Wysocki

Photo: El Paso Airport – January 31, 2014. Photo credit: Visit El Paso via Flickr. CC BY 2.0. Article by  Seung Min Kim, Ben Finley, Mary Clare Jalonick, Konstantin Toropin and Morgan Lee. AP News – February 11, 2026. EL PASO, Texas (AP) — The Pentagon allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use an anti-drone laser earlier this week, leading the Federal Aviation Administration to suddenly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, according to two people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive details. […] Click here to view original web page at www.apnews.com Related articles: El Paso airport closed after military used new anti-drone laser to zap party balloon – Ars Technica The Trump Administration Blamed Cartel Drones For Closing El Paso’s Airspace. The Real Story Appears Much Dumber. – HuffPost Airspace closure followed spat over drone-related tests and party balloon shoot-down, sources say – CBS News