Chinese National Arrested for Taking Photos of U.S. Air Force Bases
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office revealed on Wednesday that a Chinese man was apprehended last month for allegedly photographing two U.S. Air Force bases and military hardware, including a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Kirin Wu, 35, who reportedly entered the U.S. illegally at the Arizona-Mexico border in 2023. Initially, he was detained by immigration authorities but was later released because there wasn’t enough space to hold him until his deportation hearing set for 2027.
Investigators first arrested Wu near Whiteman Air Force Base, which houses the B-2 Spirit fleet, on December 2. After being warned, he reportedly returned the next day, leading to his arrest again. They found 18 photos and videos on him. He also confessed to photographing another U.S. Air Force base, though he didn’t specify which one.
Wu faces federal charges in the Western District of Missouri for taking pictures of critical military facilities without authorization.
On December 2, a patrol officer noticed a suspicious minivan with Massachusetts plates close to Whiteman Air Force Base. When the officer confronted Wu, he claimed he was there to observe the B-2 Spirit aircraft but was informed that photography of military sites was prohibited.
The following day, the same minivan was reported again, and patrol officers found Wu. He admitted to recording videos of the B-2 Spirit and taking multiple photos of the installation, including its fences and military equipment. Officials noted that he handed over a cellphone with images and acknowledged photographing another Air Force base.
Court documents indicate that Wu entered the United States illegally on June 22, 2023, near Nogales, Arizona, but was allowed to go free after promising to attend immigration proceedings scheduled for February 9, 2027.
If found guilty, Wu could face up to a year in federal prison. The investigation involved various agencies, including the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the FBI.
