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Homeland Security Chief Addresses El Paso Airspace Closure
Noem says laser incident was part of 'joint agency' mission, promises better communication
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged the chaos caused by the sudden closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas earlier this week. Noem said the incident was part of a 'joint agency task force mission' involving the use of an anti-drone laser by Customs and Border Protection, but that the government is 'continuing to work on communication' around the event.
Why it matters
The abrupt airspace shutdown in El Paso, a major border city, led to significant disruptions and confusion. Noem's comments suggest a lack of coordination between federal agencies, raising questions about transparency and communication around sensitive security operations that impact the public.
The details
On Monday, the FAA shut down airspace over El Paso for several hours after Customs and Border Protection used an anti-drone laser as part of a 'joint agency task force mission'. A source told the Associated Press that the laser deployment was not properly coordinated with the FAA, leading to the sudden and unexpected airspace closure.
- The airspace closure occurred on Monday, February 10, 2026.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed the incident on Friday, February 13, 2026.
The players
Kristi Noem
The current Secretary of Homeland Security.
Customs and Border Protection
A federal law enforcement agency that deployed an anti-drone laser, leading to the airspace closure.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The agency that shut down airspace over El Paso in response to the Customs and Border Protection laser incident.
What they’re saying
“This was a joint agency task force mission that was undertaken and we're continuing to work on the communication through that.”
— Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary
What’s next
The government has indicated it will work to improve communication and coordination between agencies involved in sensitive security operations that impact the public.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the need for greater transparency and communication from federal agencies when conducting security operations that disrupt public services, in order to avoid confusion and maintain public trust.
