US Military Zapped a Party Balloon by Mistake, Closed Airspace

The US military used a laser to shoot down an object it thought was a drone. It turned out to be a party balloon. This mistake caused El Paso airspace to close for a short time because of a disagreement between the military and the FAA.
By Newsroom | US News, El Paso |

A recent, brief closure of airspace over El Paso, Texas, was initiated following the U.S. military's use of a high-energy laser against an object mistaken for a Mexican cartel drone. The object was later identified as a party balloon. This event triggered a dispute between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Pentagon, leading to an immediate, though short-lived, halt to air traffic.

PENTAGON LASER DOWNS 'PARTY BALLOON' AFTER MISTAKING FOR MEXICAN CARTEL DRONE... - 1

Disagreement Over Drone Defense Tests Led to Airspace Closure

On a recent Tuesday night, the Federal Aviation Administration, under Administrator Bryan Bedford, ordered the closure of airspace above El Paso. This decision, made without alerting the White House, Pentagon, or Homeland Security, followed disagreements between FAA officials and the Pentagon regarding ongoing military tests of drone-defense technology.

PENTAGON LASER DOWNS 'PARTY BALLOON' AFTER MISTAKING FOR MEXICAN CARTEL DRONE... - 2

  • The tests involved a high-energy laser, according to multiple sources.

  • These tests had been coordinated between the Pentagon and the Department of Transportation for months.

  • The military activated counter-drone measures after assessing an airborne object as a potential foreign drone.

  • This assessment proved incorrect; the object was later identified as a party balloon.

El Paso Airspace Grounded Amidst Conflicting Accounts

The unexpected closure of El Paso airspace caused significant disruption, grounding all flights, including emergency medical evacuations. El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson held a press conference to address the situation, noting the unprecedented nature of the military's action to shut down airspace over a major U.S. city without prior notification.

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PENTAGON LASER DOWNS 'PARTY BALLOON' AFTER MISTAKING FOR MEXICAN CARTEL DRONE... - 3

  • The FAA initially announced restrictions that could have lasted up to ten days.

  • However, the airspace was reopened less than ten hours later.

  • Local officials, such as El Paso City Council member Chris Canales, stated they received no advance warning of the restriction.

  • Mexican authorities, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, reported no information to support claims of drone activity along the border.

Object Identified as Party Balloon After Military Engagement

Reports indicate that the military deployed a high-energy laser system against an object near El Paso. Following the engagement, the object was identified as a party balloon.

PENTAGON LASER DOWNS 'PARTY BALLOON' AFTER MISTAKING FOR MEXICAN CARTEL DRONE... - 4

  • A U.S. official confirmed to Fox News that the military shot down what was later determined to be a party balloon.

  • This incident occurred after the object was initially assessed as a possible foreign drone.

  • Mexican authorities stated they had no information indicating drone activity on their side of the border.

Pentagon and FAA Clash Over Drone Testing Protocols

Sources suggest that the core of the issue lies in a dispute between the FAA and the Pentagon concerning the execution of drone-related tests. The military proceeded with tests, including the engagement of the balloon, despite potential lingering concerns from the FAA.

Read More: El Paso Airspace Closed Due to Drone Test Fight

  • The military's use of new anti-drone laser technology is central to the event.

  • The FAA's decision to close airspace was described as being on "short notice" by airport spokespersons.

  • The differing perspectives on drone threats and response protocols between civilian aviation authorities and the military appear to be a significant factor.

Expert Analysis Highlights Communication Breakdowns

"The incident points to a critical need for improved inter-agency communication and coordinated protocols, especially when dealing with sensitive defense technology tests near civilian air traffic." - Unnamed U.S. Official

Sources close to the matter indicate that the brief but impactful closure of El Paso airspace stemmed from disagreements between the Federal Aviation Administration and Pentagon officials.

  • The technology used by the military was identified as a high-energy laser system.

  • This laser was used against an object that was later identified as a party balloon.

  • The FAA's decision to close airspace was made abruptly, raising questions about established communication channels.

Conclusion and Lingering Questions

The temporary shutdown of El Paso airspace was directly linked to a U.S. military engagement with what was ultimately identified as a party balloon, mistakenly perceived as a cartel drone. This event exposed a breakdown in communication and coordination between the FAA and the Pentagon regarding ongoing drone defense tests.

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  • The military's use of a high-energy laser against the balloon, followed by the FAA's airspace closure, highlights potential disparities in threat assessment and operational procedures between the agencies.

  • The lack of advance notice to local authorities and the rapid reversal of the closure suggest an evolving situation with unclear resolution.

  • The event raises further questions about the frequency and transparency of such military tests conducted near civilian population centers and air traffic routes.

Sources Used:

Read More: El Paso Airspace Closed Briefly for Security, Then Reopened

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened in El Paso?
The US military used a laser on a balloon, thinking it was a drone. This caused the airport to close for a short time.
Q: Why did the military shoot the balloon?
They thought it was a drone from a cartel. They were testing new laser technology.
Q: Was it really a drone?
No, it was a party balloon. Mexican officials said they had no information about drone activity.
Q: Who was upset about this?
The FAA and the Pentagon had a disagreement about the tests. This led to the airspace closing.
Q: How long was the airport closed?
The airport was closed for less than ten hours. It was supposed to be closed for longer, but it reopened quickly.