Cold War-era legislation finds new use at America’s B-2 bomber base > Office of Special Investigations > Article Display

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

Qilin Wu, a Chinese nationwide who returned to Whiteman Air Force Base after being warned to not {photograph} the set up, was sentenced to 6 months in federal custody following a case constructed on a 76-year-old govt order signed by President Harry Truman.

The conviction confirmed how a Cold War-era authorized framework can be utilized in opposition to repeated, unauthorized pictures round delicate army installations, and the way Special Agents will examine related instances earlier than they turn into one thing extra.

“For our Special Agents, this isn’t about a single case,” mentioned Col. David Bethel, commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Region 8. “It’s about recognizing that the operating environment has changed.”

Bethel was referring to a shift from clear-cut threats in abroad environments to extra ambiguous exercise round army installations contained in the United States. In Wu’s case, investigators mentioned the priority was not simply his digital camera, however that he returned after being warned and photographed greater than the plane.

That conduct in the end led to an investigation, responsible plea and sentencing. After the listening to, held earlier final month, the courtroom remanded Wu to the U.S. Marshals Service. He was later processed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer and will likely be deported to China.

“When someone gathers information around a sensitive military installation, AFOSI has the tools to hold them accountable,” Bethel mentioned.

The encounter started on Dec. 2, 2025, when members of the 509th Security Forces Squadron responded to a report of a suspicious minivan close to Whiteman’s perimeter. Wu, who was driving a car with Massachusetts license plates, mentioned he had come to look at the B-2.

“What made this different was the pattern of behavior,” mentioned a senior AFOSI official concerned within the investigation. Wu’s return after the warning, alongside along with his give attention to the bottom’s perimeter and infrastructure, heightened issues.

Wu later admitted to photographing plane and installations at different U.S. army bases, together with areas in Florida and Virginia.

Section 795 of Title 18, along with Executive Order 10104, prohibits unauthorized pictures, sketches, maps and different visible representations of designated army installations, plane, weapons and tools requiring safety from the overall dissemination of knowledge.

AFOSI officers mentioned the legislation offers authorities with a way to handle unauthorized pictures involving protected army property. In Wu’s case, investigators targeted on his repeated conduct, his return after being warned and the themes captured in his pictures.

Officials mentioned the case additionally demonstrates the significance of coordination between set up safety forces and federal investigators when suspicious exercise is reported close to delicate army amenities.

AFOSI will proceed to establish, assess and examine suspected unauthorized pictures round protected installations and tools, officers mentioned, whereas evaluating every incident based mostly on its particular details and circumstances.

For Bethel, the case highlights the company’s function in defending the homeland.

“Det. 811’s work delivered strategic deterrence,” he mentioned. “This case reflects AFOSI’s professionalism, integration and operational discipline required to defend our installations in an increasingly complex threat environment.”

Editor’s word: Some AFOSI personnel and mission companions will not be recognized by identify on this article to guard operational safety, private privateness and ongoing mission readiness.