Tag Archives: Whiteman AFB

Blame Canada!

26 Friday May 2023

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Yanking up the welcome mat on Chinese ownership of Missouri land
Feb 15, 2023

[….]

The story of how China got a foothold in Missouri in 2013 says a lot about Republicans’ overwhelming fealty to big business at the time — and about the importance of campaign contribution limits in politics. Missouri had no such limits in 2013 (the voters would impose them three years later), so when Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, needed lawmakers’ help, they were able to generously grease the skids.

Smithfield that year was trying to sell itself to a Chinese conglomerate, which would turn over control of 42,000 acres of Missouri hog-farm operations and other land to the Hong Kong-based company. But Missouri law prohibited foreign ownership of agricultural land here. So lawmakers — most of whom had received thousands or in some cases tens of thousands of dollars from Smithfield — quickly rewrote the law to allow foreign ownership of up to 1% of Missouri’s agricultural land. When then-Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, vetoed the legislation, the legislature overrode him.

[….]

Most of the lawmakers who approved the Smithfield deal are no longer in office, but at least two remain prominent: Current Gov. Mike Parson and U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, both Republicans, were both state senators at the time. Both had accepted campaign contributions from Smithfield, and both voted to help China gain control over Missouri land.

[….]

Eric Schmitt (r) [2022 file photo].

Yesterday:

Senator Eric Schmitt @SenEricSchmitt
Yesterday @RepMarkAlford & I sent a letter to the Treasury & CFIUS decrying their decision to leave @AirWhiteman off their recent ruling that would prevent China from buying nearby land.

Whiteman is crucial to our national defense and should be protected.
[….]
10:28 AM · May 25, 2023

Gaslighter.

Some of the responses:

Hypocrisy at its finest.

You sold Missouri to China

The Missouri Senate blew their chance to pass the bill sent over from the House that would have limited foreign ownership of land. Have you spoken with Missouri legislators about this?

The right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly.

You voted to sell Missouri farmland to China in 2013, when you were a Missouri Senator and then voted to override the Democratic governor’s veto.

There’s that.

Total hypocracy from the gop as usual.

Really Eric @SenEricSchmitt What, you’re having a case of Sometimers? You’ve forgotten you pushed Missouri “Right To Farm” so, China could buy Smithfield Foods, 40,000 acres and now own 242,000 acres of Missouri farmland?
#GOPAreLiars

Oh wow Senator. Why did you vote to let foreign companies buy Missouri land? And, why did you overrule Governor Nixons veto?? You think Missourians will forget about that but we won’t.

Right now, any enemy of the US could hang around outside of Whiteman and alert their handlers as to the comings and goings of B2 bombers.

Think about that for just a second:

B-2 bomber.

And any ten-year-old with access to the internets:

You voted to allow the sale of our farmland as a Senator in 2013, AND voted to override the veto!

The why did allow China to purchase the land in the first place? Their was a law to stop that. Republicans got rid of it. Now you cry foul?
[….]

Your chickens home to roost as it were. Selling land to China was fine 10 years ago?

Previously:

Yeah, you might want to ask Eric Schmitt (r) about that (April 17, 2023)

Maybe they’re just checking on all of their Missouri farm landholdings

03 Friday Feb 2023

Posted by in Eric Schmitt, social media, Uncategorized, US Senate

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Eric Schmitt (r) [2022 file photo].

Eric Schmitt (r) should definitely understand the landholdings part.

Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
The idea that Communist China has a spy balloon headed towards Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri right now — the home of the Stealth Bomber — is absolutely unbelievable.

No American should accept this. I don’t.
1:19 PM · Feb 3, 2023

But, you’ll accept their ownership of Missouri farm land.

Dude, they just need to use on easily accessible online map application:

Some of the responses to Eric Schmitt’s (r) social media post:

Why would they send a balloon when they could just park a spy satellite over it?

Or just use an online map application?

A high altitude balloon has zero functional ability beyond that of the already existing satellites orbiting overhead. This news cycle is embarrassing.

Wait until you learn about the existence of satellites [….]

I suppose this balloon is a good enough excuse as any to continue inflating defense spending for your buddies at Lockheed though, amirite?

Just wait till you find out about spy satellites

JFC man, I can see it on Google Earth right now. Do you truly believe that the Chinese are too stupid to know where our domestic military bases are and what we house at them? What on earth are they going to see that any 10 year old with a laptop can’t already?

See image above.

Hey Senator, remember when you gave away Missouri farmland to China?
[….]

Gaslight much?

He considers that a feature, not a bug.

Scared of a balloon? Wow.

Several Members of Congress are already mad tweeting. They’re on the case. We’re good. /sarcasm.

just checking up on the land you sold them

Heh.

I told you not to worry. @RepMTG knows where all the Jewish space lasers are.
Now calm down they won’t bother you bc you already sold all our farmland to them.

Just checking on the land you sold them. How is that ham tasting now?

Just imagine an advanced satellite making passes over that base. Oh wait.

Or, just commercial satellites. See image above.

You know they have satellites, right?

Well, if China didn’t know where the stealth bomber was kept before, they do now, due to your tweet. Way to go!

We’re all doomed.

Please explain in detail which weapons system you’d like to use to destroy a target with a limited radar cross section that’s flying at 100,000 feet? As usual you are using this to keep your base angry and scared.

Maybe Jewish space lasers? They seem to be popular with right wingnut republicans.

You do know that scores of Chinese airliners fly over US air space everyday, don’t you? And wait til you hear about satellites.

Good jobs report, huh?

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner!

Next level gaslighting from the man who voted TWICE to sell Missouri farmland to China

Heh.

Oh no… China is going to find out super secret Stealth Bomber base.
Way to go Eric, you just told the whole world where it is.

Oh no! What are they going to do?
A slow moving balloon is heading in a general direction and there’s nothing that can be done about it…

You are right. Good thing the balloon hasn’t made it to space, where it could orbit and send images of the entire world back.

Someone should probably invent something like that…

Oh dear..I didn’t know it was a secret. I guess those satellites should be more careful.

Telling where bomber is ! On Twitter is not helping.

JFC. We’re all doomed.

B-2 bomber.

Shoot it down over Missouri? Why not, I’m willing to give up that state.

Hey! No.

Didn’t know Missouri was the home of the stealth bomber until you posted this. Who do you work for?

Maybe sarcasm? Nah.

Is the location of this plane that you just posted supposed to be public?

Well, yes.

Did you really just broadcast that?

[Smacks forehead]

Most americans didn’t accept you selling farmland to China either. Yet here we are.

You just doxed the stealth bomber. RIP your security clearance.

Too stupid to remember to breathe…

B-2 bomber.

Maybe a Jewish Space Laser can shoot that thing down.

Great minds…

OK lady but this is the men’s room at taco bell

Previously:

Are you certain it wasn’t Rick Brattin (r)? (February 3, 2023)

Mission critical

25 Sunday Jul 2021

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Today:

Mandatory COVID-19 face mask policy resumes at Whiteman AFB, effective July 26
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs / Published July 25, 2021

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. —
To help combat the spread of COVID-19, Whiteman Air Force Base officials have released an update supplementing existing Department of Defense guidance on the use of cloth face coverings, effective July 26.

Beginning Monday, all individuals on installation property will again be required to wear cloth face coverings at all times when indoors and when the maintenance of six feet of physical distance in outdoor work areas is not possible, regardless of personal vaccination status.

Base public health officials observed recent increases in COVID-19 cases in Missouri and local counties and advised the updated guidance to improve installation protective measures against the growing risk of community spread. In addition to adherence to the updated mask guidance, personnel should also continue to follow strict health protection measures to include, but not limited to, social distancing and disciplined personal hygiene, such as hand washing and disinfection of commonly touched surfaces.

This guidance applies to Total-Force military personnel, DOD civilian employees and contractors, family members and all individuals visiting base facilities.

Any cloth items worn as face coverings (e.g., neck gaiters, neck warmers, balaclavas, etc.) should be functional, cleaned and maintained in compliance with current Air Force instructions, and need to cover the mouth and nose.

“Every adjustment to our public health measures is carefully considered and not taken lightly,” said Col. Daniel Diehl, 509th Bomb Wing commander. “We take this step with the best interest of our personnel and our mission readiness in mind. All members of our teams are vital to our success and task of providing the nation with persistent strategic deterrence and lethal global strike capability. Everyone’s continued commitment to fighting the spread of COVID-19 is critical.”

Exemptions:
• Children under the age of two should not wear a face covering due to potential choking/suffocation hazards.
• Any accompanied minor with a medical condition or mental special needs that makes wearing a face covering difficult or potentially hazardous.
• A face covering must be worn into the Whiteman AFB Fitness Center. Face coverings may be removed while actively performing cardiovascular exercise (running, biking, elliptical). Face coverings should be re-donned after completion of cardiovascular exercise.
• Face coverings are required at Whiteman AFB pools; however, they are not required while actually swimming.

B-2 bomber.

One B-2, two A-10s, and four T-38s

28 Tuesday Apr 2020

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A few days ago:

Whiteman AFB B-2 stealth bomber, A-10 and T-38 jets to fly over Kansas City in salute to COVID-19 essential workers
By Staff Report, 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs / Published April 24, 2020

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. —
[….]
Whiteman Air Force Base pilots are scheduled to fly over medical facilities in Kansas City, Missouri, April 28 to honor and express Team Whiteman’s gratitude for all medical and healthcare professionals, essential employees and volunteers in the fight against COVID-19.

The flyover will include a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing accompanied by A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 442nd Fighter Wing and T-38 Talon’s assigned to the 13th Bomb Squadron, which will pass, in sequence, over Centerpoint Medical Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital North and South, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, St. Luke’s East Hospital, Research Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital Plaza, Western Missouri Medical Center and Bothwell Regional Health Center on Tuesday. In case of inclement weather, the flight will be postponed to April 29.

“We are in this fight together. We have deep gratitude for all doctors, nurses, medical personnel and other essential employees and volunteers who are confronting this challenge worldwide — but especially in our region,” said Col. Jeffrey Schreiner, 509th Bomb Wing commander and Independence, Missouri, native. “While defending the homeland has taken a new shape, we are proud to serve alongside those who serve in and out of uniform. This flyover is our way of sending a heartfelt salute and ‘Thank You’ to all those on the frontlines in the fight against this virus. Without their dedication and hard work, we would not be able to execute our vital, strategic mission.”

Kansas City and local residents can expect to see America’s stealth bomber from various vantage points across the city at approximately 10 a.m. as the B-2, A-10s and T-38s fly over major regional medical centers. All residents are encouraged to follow strict social distancing guidelines and refrain from gathering in large viewing groups.

[….]

The U.S. Air Force performs almost 1,000 flyovers each year, to include air shows, national-level sporting events, and any event in support of a patriotic holiday. Flyovers are fully functional training missions, designed to maintain the lethality and readiness of Air Force pilots and maintainers; they are conducted at no additional cost to taxpayers and are incorporated into existing flying schedules.

[….]

From a distance, this morning, over Warrensburg, Missouri.

B-2 bomber.

A-10s.

T-38s.

I’m certain the gesture was much appreciated.

Maybe next time someone could arrange an air drop of COVID-19 tests.

Stay Home. Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face. Good luck to us all.
#FlattenTheCurve

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): voting against the B-2

14 Monday May 2012

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Vicky Hartzler (r), as a member-elect of the House, in November 2010:

…Last week I had a great day meeting with the commanders at Whiteman Air Force Base, learning more about their missions, hearing their concerns and ideas, and touring the Base.  It was an honor to meet these dedicated public servants who have given their lives and talents to keeping us free.  I was thrilled to get to sit in the cockpit of the Apache Helicopter, an A-10 Thunderbolt, and the B-2 Stealth Bomber.  We have such a national security treasure here in Missouri’s 4th and I look forward to working with them to protect and defend our country…

This past week:

The House Armed Services Committee filed H.R. 4310 with the Rules Committee on Thursday May 10, 2012. H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, was filed as ordered and reported by HASC on Wednesday, May 09, 2012….

Representative Robert Andrews (D-New Jersey) offered Amendment 128:

AMENDMENT TO H.R. 4310

OFFERED BY MR. ANDREWS OF NEW JERSEY

In section 4201 of division D, relating to Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, increase the amount for B-2 EHF Extremely high Frequency Radio (PE 0101127F) by $71,000,000.

In section 4201 of division D, relating to Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, reduce the amount for Ballistic Missile Defense Midcourse Defense Segment (PE 0603882C) by $71,000,000.

X

The amendment failed 26-35:

Aye:

Owens, Larsen, Langevin, Smith, Reyes, Sanchez, Cooper, McIntyre, Brady, Andrews, Mrs. Davis, Heinrich, Bordallo, Courtney, Loebsack, Tsongas, Pingree, Ryan, Critz, Garamendi, Ruppersberger, Johnson, Sutton, Hanabusa, Hochul, Speier

Nay:

Hunter, LoBiondo, McKeon, Bartlett, Thornberry, Wittman, Turner, Akin, Forbes, Miller, Wilson, Lamborn, Kline, Mr. Rogers, Franks, Shuster, Conaway, Kissell, Rooney, Coffman, Fleming, Young, Platts, Riggell, Gibson, Hartzler, Heck, Brooks, Schilling, Runyan, Scott, Griffin, Palazzo, West, Roby

[emphasis added]

That’s right, Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) voted against an appropriation for an operational system based in her district in favor of a pie in the sky boondoggle throwback to the Reagan era.

Big mistake. Big. Huge.

Who benefits?:

National Missile Defense Contractors

National Missile Defense Contractors in the United States have been actively involved in Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) since the 1980s. However, the project did not officially begin until 1998 “with a $1.6 billion dollar initial contract to Boeing.”

[….]

“Boeing as the prime-contractor is responsible for the development, test, and integration of all the GMD elements, including the Ground-based Interceptor, X-Band Radar Prototype, Fire Control & Communications systems, Upgraded Early Warning Radars and interfaces to the Defense Support Program. Major team members include Raytheon Company (kill vehicle, radars); Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (BMC2); Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (booster vehicles); Orbital Sciences Corporation (booster vehicles); Bechtel (facilities design and construction); and Teledyne Brown Engineering (Integrated Systems Testing Capabilities and technical services).”

[….]

[emphasis added]

This is interesting:

VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS

LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION EMPLOYEES’ POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/02/2011 1000.00 12970061909

LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION EMPLOYEES’ POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/16/2011 1000.00 12970067685

LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION EMPLOYEES’ POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 09/28/2011 1000.00 12970069164

LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION EMPLOYEES’ POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/21/2012 1500.00 12951370056

RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTTEE 02/17/2012 1500.00 12970751869

THE BOEING COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/11/2011 1000.00 11930808651

THE BOEING COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 03/11/2011 5000.00 11930808651

THE BOEING COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 06/24/2011 1000.00 11931820144

Quite interesting.