Operation Leaning Tower: Latest Militia Messaging Signals Intent to Disrupt Weather Infrastructure
Executive Summary
Recent posts from Veterans on Patrol (VOP) leadership indicate a growing intent to target U.S. weather infrastructure—specifically NEXRAD radar systems—under the belief they are being used as “weather weapons” against civilians. While framed in religious and conspiratorial language, the messaging contains explicit calls to “disable” government equipment, signaling elevated threat potential from adherents.
Analysis
Over the past 10 days, Michael “Lewis Arthur” Meyer—leader of the Arizona-based militia group Veterans on Patrol (VOP)—has released multiple public messages outlining operational guidance and justification for direct action against U.S. government-owned radar infrastructure. The campaign, dubbed Operation Leaning Tower, is the group’s most explicit signal to date that it intends to conduct (or incite) low-tech sabotage against what it calls “weather manipulation equipment,” primarily NEXRAD radar installations.
The language in these recent statements marks a tactical escalation. Meyer claims these ground-based systems are part of an ongoing U.S. military effort to weaponize weather against the civilian population. He invokes Title 50 U.S. Code § 1520a, alleging that the military is violating federal law by deploying chemical and directed energy weapons domestically. He further states that “disabling” these systems is not illegal if done in accordance with unspecified “authorized” procedures—a reference to extrajudicial, sovereign-style justifications common in anti-government extremist circles.
Importantly, Meyer’s latest messaging emphasizes that these actions must be “carefully” executed, without explosives or arson, to maintain a façade of legality and avoid federal charges. However, the operational takeaway remains clear: individuals aligned with VOP ideology are being told that infrastructure sabotage is both urgent and morally justified. While he explicitly denies intent to “blow up” sites, the practical implication is a push for covert, physical interference with radar systems. This echoes historical militia tactics that aim to stay under the legal threshold while still conducting disruptive activity.
Meyer also claims to have provided “irrefutable” evidence to the FBI and insists his group is cooperating with law enforcement—a likely attempt to preempt legal consequences and signal legitimacy to supporters. These are classic narratives used by domestic extremist actors to justify illegal activity while undermining public trust in law enforcement institutions. VOP’s social media traffic shows steady engagement from supporters echoing these claims and discussing actionable steps.
Operation Leaning Tower follows a familiar VOP playbook: blend religious nationalism, conspiratorial threat perception, and pseudo-legal justifications to create a permissive environment for direct action. While prior operations—such as sabotaging migrant water tanks and trespassing on government property—have lacked strategic effect, this latest campaign involves infrastructure tied to public safety, weather forecasting, and aviation.
Given VOP’s operational history, the threat of localized, low-tech sabotage (e.g., tampering with radomes, utility access points, or relay systems) is elevated. These types of systems are often unguarded and spread across rural areas, making them viable targets for ideologically driven actors. Though VOP lacks the capability for high-impact kinetic attacks, their asymmetric methods, decentralized structure, and active recruitment through encrypted and open platforms raise concern about copycat behavior or escalation.
At minimum, these postings indicate increased propaganda output intended to incite action. At worst, they are a prelude to attempts at sabotage under the belief that such activity constitutes “lawful resistance.”
