The Department of Defense is many things, but now, “incompetent” is being added to that list. Its newest infraction comes on the heels of an embarrassing mistake, which led to the DOD shooting down a balloon. After it was determined that the only real threat was helium, the DOD has now mistaken one of its own drones for an airspace threat in Texas.
The DOD shot down what was believed to be an unknown craft near El Paso. After the defensive missile went airbound, a mistake had been realized. Rather than a legitimate threat, the drone actually belonged to the Customs and Border Patrol. ABC News said the action demonstrated a “shocking lack of coordination between agencies.”
However, the mistake was realized far too late. While the DOD was readying to take out one of its own, all air traffic in the area was restricted by the FAA. The decision caused chaos at local Texas airports, with flights delayed and many raising questions. After the restriction ended, flights resumed, but not without many questioning the federal government’s competence.
A Sore Lack of Communication
Public officials were outraged over the mistake. Many pointed out how lucky it was that the target was only a drone, and the area in Texas was remote enough that no casualties were involved. As political leaders raged against the department’s poor decision-making, the general public also shared its opinions. “Incompetence is a prerequisite to work for this administration, and its government,” one Redditor said. Another replied, “My God, you can’t make this [Expletive] up.”
Others made not-so-amusing jokes about the carelessness of it all. “One party balloon and one of our own drones. I feel safer already. So much winning,” one user said. Another added to this, highlighting the significant weight behind the government’s decisions. “And now they bombed Iran,” a user added solemnly.
