Drone Scare at Texas Airport Raises Concerns About US Preparedness

Former CIA officer warns miscommunication between Pentagon and FAA could signal vulnerabilities to adversaries

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An apparent miscommunication between the Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration in El Paso, Texas, over the use of an anti-drone laser to take down party balloons mistaken for something more menacing has raised concerns about the United States' ability to handle drone incursions, according to a former CIA officer.

Why it matters

The incident highlights potential gaps in the US government's coordination and technological capabilities to address the growing threat of drones, especially those used by Mexican drug cartels along the southern border. It could also signal vulnerabilities to US adversaries.

The details

The Pentagon initially allowed US border agents to use an anti-drone laser, but the FAA then announced plans to close local airspace for several days before quickly reversing course, leading to confusion. A former CIA officer familiar with drone technology, Tracy Walder, said the US may not have full technological capabilities to go after these drones, and that the Mexican government has lagged behind criminal organizations in acquiring anti-drone technology.

  • The incident occurred earlier this week in El Paso, Texas.

The players

Tracy Walder

A former CIA officer and NewsNation national security contributor who is familiar with drone technology.

Mexican Cartels

Criminal organizations that have been using drones along the US southern border for at least 15-16 years, according to Walder.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are having issues identifying them. … That is problematic and shows a hole in our system. I don't know that we have full technological capabilities — I know we're testing it — to be able to go after these drones.”

— Tracy Walder, Former CIA officer and NewsNation national security contributor (NewsNation)

What’s next

The US government will likely need to improve coordination between agencies and invest in more advanced counter-drone technology to address the growing threat of drones along the southern border.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for the US to bolster its defenses against the increasing use of drones by criminal organizations, as well as improve communication and coordination between different government agencies tasked with addressing this challenge.