Incident at Whiteman Air Force Base
A Chinese national has been accused of illegally taking photographs of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Qilin Wu, 35, has reportedly been in the United States unlawfully since 2022 but was released from custody after seeking asylum.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Wu was first observed on December 2 inside a minivan with Massachusetts license plates near the base’s perimeter, located approximately 60 miles east of Kansas City. When approached by an Air Force security officer, he claimed to be there to view the B-2 Spirit bombers.
The B-2 stealth bombers have recently been involved in significant military operations, including strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as part of Operation Midnight Hammer.
After being informed that photography was prohibited, Wu left the area but was seen again outside the base the following day. He was questioned by agents from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
During questioning, Wu admitted to recording videos and taking numerous photographs of both the B-2 aircraft and various military installations. He showed investigators images stored on his phone.
Wu acknowledged his illegal status in the U.S., explaining that he crossed into Arizona from Mexico after flying from China to Ecuador. He stated that he had previously been detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection but was released after claiming asylum due to insufficient detention space.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri indicated that immigration removal proceedings were set for 2027. Wu’s criminal complaint noted his background as a veteran of the Chinese military and his concerns about conditions in China prompting his departure.
Wu traveled over 1,200 miles from Boston to Missouri with intentions focused on observing B-2 stealth bombers. He described himself as an aviation enthusiast with a particular fondness for military aircraft, having previously photographed various models at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
If convicted of unlawful photographing of a defense installation, Mr. Wu could face up to one year in federal prison.
