Rep. Mark Alford, a Republican from Missouri, has raised alarm bells regarding a potential security risk next to Whiteman Air Force Base, where America’s B-2 bombers are stationed. During a recent interview on NewsNation, he revealed that a former base commander was completely unaware of a nearby trailer park allegedly linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Alford emphasized that the commander retired just two days before a highly sensitive operation dubbed the “Midnight Hammer,” which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities. The timing of this revelation is concerning. Alford stated, “I just talked to the former commander of the base who retired two days before the Midnight Hammer strike, and he wasn’t aware that this existed.” This admission raises questions about the level of scrutiny applied to properties located near strategic military assets.
At the center of the issue is the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Alford believes CFIUS must enhance its oversight, particularly regarding historical transactions. “These are transactions that happened in the past. I think CFIUS is concentrated now on present transactions and those going forward. I think we need to take a look back at transactions maybe in the last 10 years,” he said. His call for a broader review of past transactions suggests there may be vulnerabilities that have gone overlooked, which could jeopardize national security.
Alford’s concerns extend to the Treasury Department’s role, particularly with CFIUS under its umbrella. “We get CFIUS under the Treasury Department, and I’m on the Financial Services General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees that, and we get them on the ball,” he stated emphatically. The implication is clear: there is a perception that oversight has been lacking. Alford clarified that he does not place the blame on Secretary Bessent but highlights a broader issue rooted in the Biden administration’s approach. Notably, he pointed out that their administration failed to include Whiteman Air Force Base on a list of properties requiring scrutiny.
Business filings deepen the intrigue surrounding the trailer park. Records reveal a complex web of shell companies that were created solely to acquire the property adjacent to the airbase. For instance, just four days after Property Solutions 3603 LP was registered as a Missouri limited partnership in August 2017, it acquired the approximately 25-acre RV park situated just north of Whiteman Air Force Base. This suggests a calculated effort to bypass normal scrutiny through opaque business practices.
In October 2017, control of the trailer park switched to a Georgia-based firm owned by a Canadian couple, Esther Mei and Cheng Hu. The couple’s operations extend beyond the trailer park, as they also manage Property Solutions 3603 and two other companies. All three share a Michigan address, indicating a possible coordinated series of transactions designed to obscure their ownership and intentions.
Alford’s comments underscore a growing concern about foreign influence near vital military installations. As the landscape of international relations continues to evolve, ensuring robust oversight by CFIUS and similar entities will be crucial. The revelations about the trailer park’s ownership and its ties to the CCP serve as a stark reminder of the potential threats that may exist within the United States.
As this situation develops, the call for vigilance and thorough investigation remains paramount. With national security at stake, stakeholders must address these challenges head-on to safeguard American interests and protect critical military assets.
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