FAA Shut Down El Paso Airspace Over Pentagon Laser Plan (Full Transcript)

Sources say a planned counter-drone laser test near El Paso prompted an FAA ground stop, contradicting claims it was only a cartel drone incident.

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[00:00:00] Speaker 1: We now know why the Federal Aviation Administration did an unprecedented airspace shutdown on Wednesday over El Paso, Texas.

[00:00:07] Speaker 2: And it's a complete ground stop. Not even medevacs are allowed to fly. Wow.

[00:00:12] Speaker 1: Multiple sources are now telling CNN that the Pentagon planned to begin using a high energy counter drone laser in the area without consulting with the FAA on the risk to civilian flights. The FAA responded by instituting a 10 day long, 10 mile temporary flight restriction, although it ultimately ended after only about eight hours. It was all to get to a February 20th planned meeting between the Pentagon and the FAA about these flight risks. Seems the Pentagon was still going to move forward with using this laser. All these new details really undercut the White House explanation that this was all because of a Mexican cartel drone that wandered into U.S. airspace. This effectively shut down El Paso International Airport, serves about 100 flights each day, and it's just south of Fort Bliss and Biggs Army Airfield where there are often drone operations. The Pentagon still not really coming clean here on whether or not it plans to continue using this high powered laser.

Summary

The FAA imposed an unprecedented airspace shutdown and temporary flight restriction over El Paso after learning the Pentagon planned to use a high-energy counter-drone laser nearby without properly consulting the FAA about risks to civilian aircraft. The ground stop disrupted El Paso International Airport operations and raised questions about transparency, as the new details contradict the White House explanation that a Mexican cartel drone caused the shutdown. A meeting between the Pentagon and FAA was planned to address the safety concerns, but it remains unclear whether the Pentagon will continue laser use.

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Title

Pentagon Counter-Drone Laser Plan Triggered El Paso Airspace Shutdown

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Keywords

FAA

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airspace shutdown Remove

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El Paso

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temporary flight restriction Remove

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Pentagon

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counter-drone laser Remove

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high-energy laser Remove

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civilian flight risk Remove

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El Paso International Airport Remove

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Fort Bliss Remove

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Biggs Army Airfield Remove

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drone operations Remove

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White House explanation Remove

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Mexican cartel drone Remove

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CNN sources Remove

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Key Takeaways

The FAA issued a rare ground stop and 10-mile temporary flight restriction over El Paso due to safety concerns.
Sources say the Pentagon planned to use a high-energy counter-drone laser without adequate FAA consultation.
The restriction was intended to bridge to a planned Feb. 20 Pentagon–FAA meeting on flight risks, but ended after about eight hours.
The new reporting undermines claims the shutdown was solely caused by a cartel drone entering U.S. airspace.
The incident disrupted roughly 100 daily flights at El Paso International Airport near Fort Bliss and Biggs Army Airfield.
The Pentagon has not clearly stated whether it will continue using the high-powered laser.

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Sentiments

Neutral: The tone is investigative and critical of interagency coordination and transparency, but primarily factual in describing the shutdown, the laser plan, and conflicting explanations.

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