Adding an additional layer of complication to the situation in El Paso, it was further revealed this week that an apparent disagreement between Pentagon officials and the FAA over plans for testing the counter-drone weapon had played a significant role in the unexpected airspace closure.
Once the NOTAM was issued on Wednesday, airline officials had reportedly been under the impression that the FAA was acting out of an abundance of caution, considering the recent alleged cartel drone incidents. Airline officials were also reportedly aware of the ongoing disagreement between the FAA and Pentagon officials over the planned tests, although PBS reported that information about the counter-drone operations at Fort Bliss had not been formally conveyed to the FAA.
Lingering Questions
As far as the situation in Texas this week that led to temporary flight restrictions in the airspace above El Paso, similar questions emerge about the efficacy of current U.S. detection capabilities, and whether they can reliably distinguish between decorative balloons and aerial technologies that might pose an actual threat to U.S. national security.
Many questions remain about the situation, with one official telling PBS on Wednesday that it was still unknown “whether anyone would be fired” resulting from the apparent disagreement that led to the temporary airspace shutdown.
by Shiny-Tie-126
2 Comments
The Debrief also makes the comparison between the unusual events and the 2023 situation, following the appearance of a Chinese surveillance balloon –
>Much like the recent incident over El Paso, the majority of the objects shot down in the days following the 2023 Chinese spy balloon incident were believed to be “hobbyist balloons” or similar conventional objects, rather than further evidence of foreign espionage.
I think it’s just another display of incompetence.