US Navy Warns of Increased Chinese and Russian Infiltration Attempts at Military Bases

US Navy warns of escalating infiltration attempts by Chinese and Russian nationals into military bases, highlighting significant national security concerns.

A high-ranking US Navy official has issued a warning about the increasing attempts by China and Russia to infiltrate American military bases, raising concerns over national security. US Fleet Forces Commander Daryl Caudle disclosed to Fox News that these infiltration attempts are occurring at least twice a week at Navy bases alone.

Commander Caudle explained that while the infiltrators typically possess passports and other documents justifying their stay in the US, their suspicious behavior prevents them from being granted authorization to access military facilities. “Usually, the cover story is ‘I am a student,’ ‘I am an enthusiast,’ ‘I want to see the ships,’ that type of thing… We have to turn them around and … get biometrics,” Caudle stated. He emphasized the difficulty in discerning the true motives of these individuals.

Increasing Infiltration Attempts

Infiltration attempts by Chinese and Russian nationals into US military facilities have been a persistent issue. Caudle revealed that over 100 attempts were recorded in 2023 from Chinese nationals alone. These individuals often pose as innocent tourists when apprehended. For instance, last year, the US Defense Department reported incidents of Chinese nationals scuba diving near a rocket launch site in Florida and crossing into a missile range in New Mexico.

“This thing of our military bases getting penetrated by foreign nationals is happening more and more,” Caudle stressed. “This is Russian, it’s Chinese… It comes from all these different nations.”

Surge in Chinese Migrants

Commander Caudle's warning comes amidst a dramatic increase in the number of Chinese migrants entering the US. Over the past three years, there has been an 8,000 percent increase in such encounters. From just 342 Chinese nationals in 2021, the number surged to 24,125 in 2023, according to American border patrol reports.

Dan Bishop, chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability, expressed alarm over these figures. “It should be extremely alarming to everyone, regardless of party, when record numbers of individuals from an adversarial nation flood into our country without vetting or oversight,” Bishop said.

National Security Concerns

These developments underscore the growing challenges faced by the US in securing its military installations and national security. The frequent infiltration attempts by foreign nationals highlight vulnerabilities that adversarial nations like China and Russia are keen to exploit. As these threats continue to evolve, the US military and security agencies are under increased pressure to enhance their vigilance and counterintelligence efforts.

Conclusion

The warnings from Commander Caudle reflect a broader concern within the US military about the security of its bases and the potential threats posed by foreign infiltrators. With the increasing number of Chinese migrants and the continuous infiltration attempts by Chinese and Russian nationals, it is crucial for the US to strengthen its security measures and ensure robust vetting processes to protect its national security interests.