Several attempts have been made in recent years by Chinese nationals acting as tourists but suspected of being spies to get access to military installations in this huge state dotted with sensitive outposts, according to U.S. officials.
Some soldiers at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks informed USA TODAY that a car filled with Chinese nationals had driven right through a security checkpoint. A search of the car after it had been stopped revealed a drone hidden inside. The intruders said they were lost travelers.
Officials in Alaska have blamed the interactions on tourists from other countries who came to see the northern lights and other sights. Multiple unnamed soldiers involved with the instances who are not authorized to comment publicly said that other efforts to penetrate U.S. military bases appear to be probes to learn about U.S. military capabilities in Alaska.
According to a military official, not all visitors to Alaska are who they claim to be. Instead, they are spies from another country.
Most information concerning the incidents is still classified. China’s interest in Alaska is understandable, given that it is home to some of the Pentagon’s most cutting-edge military assets and high-end war simulations, as detailed in military briefings and publicly available information.
When asked about rumors of Chinese espionage at Alaskan military bases, the Pentagon’s No. 2 official, Kathleen Hicks, declined to comment. She did not elaborate on the measures the military is taking to ensure the safety of these bases, but she did say that there are several.
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So we have had a Chinese spy balloon, Russian Bear Bombers, & now Chinese spies in Alaska! THIS IS A WAKE-UP CALL THAT WE ARE IN A NEW ERA OF AUTHORITARIAN AGGRESSION LEAD BY DICTATORS IN CHINA & RUSSIA. Chinese nationals posing as tourists with drones on them? What say u Biden? pic.twitter.com/CHth19PvJM
— 😎LisaMarie😎 (@LisaSteelersGal) June 2, 2023