Start Here The Laser That Closed El Paso's Airspace
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Feb 12, 2026 Armando Garcia, ABC immigration reporter covering Border Patrol incidents; Jay O'Brien, ABC Capitol Hill correspondent on DOJ oversight; Colonel Stephen Ganyard, former Marine fighter pilot and aviation analyst. They unpack the sudden El Paso airspace shutdown and a Pentagon-FAA spat over a counter-drone laser. They also walk through released bodycam and text evidence in a Border Patrol shooting and a heated congressional hearing about DOJ document handling.
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FAA-Pentagon Standoff Over Lasers
- The FAA closed El Paso airspace after the Army refused to disclose classified use of high-energy lasers near the airport.
- Colonel Stephen Ganyard called it a dangerous interagency communication failure with real safety risks for commercial flights.
Ten-Day Closure Was A Pressure Tactic
- The FAA set a deliberate 10-day closure to force a scheduled February 20 meeting with the Defense Department.
- Ganyard suggested the deadline was meant to compel the Army to engage on safety protocols.
Laser Use Creates Dangerous Debris Risks
- Lasers can melt drones and send heavy debris crashing into populated areas or airports.
- Ganyard emphasized the need to de-conflict counter-drone operations to avoid blinding pilots or endangering civilians.