Overview
- The Pentagon, FAA and CBP said U.S. forces used counter‑UAS authorities to neutralize a seemingly threatening drone in military airspace, far from populated areas with no commercial aircraft nearby, and pledged better interagency cooperation.
- The FAA broadened an existing temporary flight restriction around Fort Hancock on Thursday evening, with the notice running into late June, and said the change should not affect commercial flights.
- Top House Democrats Rick Larsen, André Carson and Bennie Thompson said a high‑risk counter‑drone system—described by aides as a high‑energy laser—was used, citing poor coordination among the Pentagon, DHS/CBP and the FAA.
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth called for immediate inspector general inquiries into the Fort Hancock shootdown and the earlier El Paso airspace shutdown tied to laser use, warning of systemic communication failures.
- Reporting from congressional aides and an initial Pentagon assessment indicates CBP had not notified DoD about its drone, and key details—including the exact system used and precise timing—remain unconfirmed.