Former U.S. Air Force Officer Sentenced: Unveiling the Breach of National Security Secrets

Former U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Robert L. Birchum, was sentenced to three years in federal prison and fined $25,000 by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, FL. Birchum pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing and retaining classified documents related to national defense on February 21, 2023.

During his 29-year career in the Air Force, Birchum held various intelligence positions, working with classified information for prominent agencies such as the Joint Special Operations Command and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Despite having entered into agreements to protect classified information, Birchum violated these obligations.

In 2017, law enforcement discovered that Birchum had knowingly taken over 300 classified files and documents, including more than 30 labeled as Top Secret, from authorized locations. He stored these materials in unauthorized places such as his home, overseas officer's quarters, and a storage pod in his driveway. Among the confiscated items were two documents on a thumb drive found at Birchum's residence, containing sensitive information about the National Security Agency's capabilities, collection methods, and vulnerabilities of targets. Both documents were classified as Top Secret/SCI, and their unauthorized release posed a grave threat to national security.

U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg emphasized the serious risk that Birchum's actions posed to national security, thanking law enforcement partners for their commitment to safeguarding the nation. FBI Tampa Special Agent in Charge David Walker highlighted the FBI's dedication to protecting the secrets of the U.S. Intelligence community and ensuring the security of the country.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cherie L. Krigsman of the Middle District of Florida, along with Trial Attorney Evan N. Turgeon from the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, prosecuted the case.

This sentencing serves as a reminder of the government's determination to pursue individuals who knowingly endanger national security and the critical importance of upholding classified information protocols.

Fed Undercover - Contract Killer; Weapons Dealer; Pedophile

Editor's Note: Would be good listen for sevicemembers consider federal law enforcement career post military service.

On May 15, 2009, Conversations with Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion Special Agent Bob Hamer, FBI (ret.) on his career as an undercover federal agent.

Program Date: May 15, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Fed Undercover - Contract Killer; Weapons Dealer; Pedophile
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/05/16/Fed-Undercover-Contract-Killer-Weapons-Dealer-Pedophile

About the Guest
Special Agent Bob Hamer, Federal Bureau of Investigation (ret.) spent 26 years as a “street agent” for the FBI; many of those years undercover. As an uncover agent he posed as a drug dealer, contract killer, fence, pedophile, degenerate gambler, weapons dealer, and white-collar criminal.

Bob Hamer worked undercover against such diverse groups as La Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian Mafia, Mexican Mafia, Russian Mafia, Asian organized crime groups, and Los Angeles-based street gangs. His successful infiltration of NAMBLA (North American Man/Boy Love Association) resulted in the arrest of what one defendant called eight members of the “inner circle.” He received numerous awards throughout his career including the FBI Director’s Award for Distinguished Service, four United States Attorney Awards for Distinguished Service, and numerous letters of commendation including one from then U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani. Bob Hamer is the author of The Last Undercover: The True Story of an FBI Agent’s Dangerous Dance with Evil.

According to the book description of The Last Undercover: The True Story of an FBI Agent’s Dangerous Dance with Evil, “Bob Hamer tells the story of his life as an undercover agent for the FBI posing as everything from a drug dealer to an aging pedophile. Looking back on a career rich in the kind of action that makes for great cinema, Hamer describes the challenges he endured as he stared the dark side of humanity in the face.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Law Enforcement Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/05/16/Fed-Undercover-Contract-Killer-Weapons-Dealer-Pedophile

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Bombs, Bullets and Fast Talk

On March 27, 2009, Conversations with Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a
discussion Special James Botting, FBI (ret.) the author of Bullets, Bombs, and Fast
Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories.

Program Date: March 27, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Bullets, Bombs, and Fast Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories.
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/03/28/Bombs-Bullets-and-Fast-Talk

About the Guest
Special Agent James Botting (ret.) served in the FBI for twenty-five years, sixteen as a crisis/hostage negotiator. He served as the team leader of the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) from 1981 to 1995 and a supervisory member of its international Critical Incident Negotiation Team since its inception in 1985 until his retirement. He has personally negotiated numerous hostage/barricade incidents and responded to several high-profile events. He lives in California. James Botting is the author of Bullets, Bombs, and Fast Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories.

According to the book description of Bullets, Bombs, and Fast Talk: Twenty-Five Years of FBI War Stories, “A desperate gunman holds a planeload of innocent passengers hostage. A heavily armed cult leader refuses to leave his compound, threatening mass suicide by a hundred of his brainwashed followers. A neo-Nazi militant in a cabin hideout keeps federal agents at bay with gunfire. A baby disappears; his only trace is an ominous ransom call to his parents. Prisoners riot, threatening the lives of prison officers and hundreds of other inmates. How do you react? What do you do? What do you say? Your words, your actions can save lives--or lose them.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Law Enforcement Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/03/28/Bombs-Bullets-and-Fast-Talk

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Chicago Police, FBI and Midnight Battles

Editor's Note: John Wills is a former servicemember.

On March 20, 2009, Conversations with Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion Special Agent John Wills, FBI (ret.) the author of Chicago Warriors Midnight Battles in the Windy City.

Program Date: March 20, 2009
Program Time: 2100 hours, Pacific
Topic: Chicago Police, FBI and Midnight Battles
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/03/21/Chicago-Police-FBI-and-Midnight-Battles

About the Guest
Special Agent John Wills, FBI (ret.) spent two years in the U.S. Army before serving 12 years with the Chicago Police Department. He left the Chicago Police Department to become an FBI Special Agent, working organized crime, violent crime, and drugs. He worked for 2 ½ years as an undercover agent in the FBI’s first ever steroid sting. He served in Chicago, Alexandria, VA., Detroit, and Houston. Before retiring from the FBI, he spent 7 years teaching at the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia. He has taught Street Survival domestically and internationally, as well as supervised new agent training at the Academy.

Special Agent John Wills presently works for Advanced Interactive Systems (www.ais-sim.com) as a Field Training Manager, conducting training for police and military using the PRISim Judgment Simulator. John Wills also owns his own business, LivSafe, teaching Situational Awareness Classes. He appears on the NCAA speakers list, presenting lectures to universities on the dangers of steroids and other drugs. Special Agent John Wills is the author of Chicago Warriors Midnight Battles in the Windy City.

According to the book description of Chicago Warriors Midnight Battles in the Windy City, “Chicago Police Officer Pete Shannon’s life is about to take a dramatic turn. His wife has a dark secret that she’s about to reveal to him; his partner’s life is about to be in jeopardy, and worst of all one of his own colleagues will present him with one of the biggest challenges of his life. Pete’s strength, both physical and spiritual, will be put to the test as he and his partner work the “graveyard shift” on the mean streets of the “Windy City.”

Fellow officer Marilyn Benson doesn't realize it yet, but her life is about to change in ways that she could have never imagined. Forces of good and evil will do battle for her soul and her faith, both of which have lain dormant for many years. It's an issue that she can no longer ignore. St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of police officers, is about to engage in his biggest clash since throwing Satan out of Heaven.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Law Enforcement Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LawEnforcement/2009/03/21/Chicago-Police-FBI-and-Midnight-Battles

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Mullen Praises Northern Command's Interagency Efforts

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

March 11, 2008 - U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command are models of interagency cooperation, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said his visit here was a way to take the pulse of the two commands and see what leaders here think is important.

NORAD will mark 50 years as a joint U.S.-Canadian command in May. The command is responsible for aerospace warning and control and maritime warning. U.S. Northern Command is a more recent invention, coming into being in 2002. Its missions are homeland defense and civil support. Air Force Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr. commands of both organizations.

Northern Command interfaces with representatives from every state and territory in the United States and is the Defense Department command that plans for the defense of the homeland. The command also provides DoD support to state and local jurisdictions when governors request that support and the president approves it. While it was formed in response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, it is also invaluable in dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters.

From its founding, the command has been an interagency forum. Representatives of more than 60 international, federal, state and nongovernmental agencies work within the command. This covers agencies from the Department of Homeland Security to the FBI to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It also includes Canadian allies from Canada Command, Transport Canada and Public Safety and Emergency Management Canada. The American Red Cross also works with NORTHCOM planners.

"That's really powerful for integration and change down the road," Mullen said during an interview.

The chairman told military and civilian employees at the command that he appreciated their service and their willingness to embrace change. He also said their work has been effective.

"We haven't been attacked since 9-11, and they are a big part of that in ways that really make a difference," he told reporters traveling with him. "They are working really hard to make sure that continues."

The visit allowed him to understand more deeply the command's challenges and to broadly discuss threats. The upcoming U.S. elections and the presidential inauguration in January 2009 will be times of vigilance. "Times of transitions -- whether it is individuals, small groups, big institutions or countries -- are typically very challenging," he said. "Many of us are focused on making sure we have the right focus on the right issues during the transitions."

One area that he learned about is the far north. The polar ice cap is shrinking, and this has opened passages in the northern seas. The command is examining this. Oil companies, cruise lines and shipping lines are all interested in the area. "The message I take away is to understand what really is going on up there," Mullen said.

With the increase in economic activity in the far north, there will be security concerns, and with more ships, there are more chances for accidents, Mullen said. He explained that NORTHCOM officials are weighing many concerns: How are the countries poised for search and rescue? How do you handle environmental remediation? What type of navigationneeds are there?

The United States needs to understand how changes on the top of the world affect the security environment. "That was one of the items we discussed out here," he said. "And that was different than I expected. But that's why I come: to get information on their turf."

NORTHCOM officials also work to thwart terrorism around the world. The command "has a robust intelligence capability, because many threats to America develop overseas," the admiral said. "The command also has maturing relationships with agencies inside our country, the FBI for instance."

These relationships are gold to the defense of America, he said. "So much of this world that we're in right now is tied to partnerships, relationships, interoperability, information sharing," he said. "A huge part of NORTHCOM's portfolio is the maritime-awareness piece. How do you exchange information with Canada, with Mexico? How do you exchange information with commercial entities, the Navy to Coast Guard and vice versa?

"It's a maturing capability we have, but we have a long way to go," he continued. "It's that information-sharing, collaboration piece that is just evident in so many parts of where I go and what I do, whether it's here or in countries around the world."

Mullen said missile defense is an important capability and one U.S. Northern Command is involved with. "The ballistic missile threat will continue to grow. We're living in an era where that's the case," the chairman said. "I think having capability to defend against that in a timely way as the threat evolves is very important. And it can be just the United States, because in the long run, it's not just the United States that is going to be threatened."

Defense Employee, Two Others Charged With Passing Secrets to China

American Forces Press Service

Feb. 11, 2008 - A Defense Department employee was among three people arrested today for espionage after allegedly passing classified U.S. government documents and information to the People's Republic of China, Justice Department officials announced. Gregg William Bergersen, 51, a weapons system policy analyst at the Arlington, Va.-based Defense Security Cooperation Agency, is accused of being the source of the classified information. Much of the information related to U.S. military sales to Taiwan, Justice Department officials said.

Bergersen allegedly passed the information between January 2006 and this month to Tai Shen Kuo, 58, a naturalized U.S. citizen and New Orleans businessman who gathered national defense information on behalf of the Chinese government, officials said.

The two men met at various locations in Northern Virginia; Charleston, S.C.; and Las Vegas. On some occasions, Bergersen received cash payments from Kuo in exchange for the information and documents he provided, officials said.

Yu Xin Kang, 33, of New Orleans, allegedly served as the conduit between Kuo and an individual identified in the complaint affidavit only as "PRC Official A," who provided direction. Kang is a People's Republic of China citizen and lawful permanent U.S. resident.

Kuo and Kang face up to life in prison if convicted of conspiracy to disclose national defense information to a foreign government. Bergman is charged in a separate complaint and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy to disclose national defense information to those not entitled to it, officials said.

The FBI conducted the investigation, with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations providing substantial assistance and cooperation, officials said.

"Today's prosecution demonstrates that foreign spying remains a serious threat in the post-Cold War world," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security Kenneth L. Wainstein in a Justice Department release. He noted that the case has all the elements of a classic espionage operation: "a foreign government focused on accessing our military secrets; foreign operatives who effectively use stealth and guile to gain that access; and an American government official who is willing to betray both is oath of public office and the duty of loyalty we rightly demand from every American citizen."

"Such espionage networks pose a grave danger to our national security, and we should all thank the investigators and prosecutors on this case for effectively penetrating and dismantling this network before more sensitive information was compromised," he said.

U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg, of the Eastern District of Virginia, joined Wainstein in condemning the alleged activity. "Those who compromise classified national security information betray the enormous responsibility and trust placed in them by our government and the American people," he said in the Justice Department release.

Today's arrests came as a former Boeing Company engineer was arrested this morning on charges of passing to China stolen Boeing trade secrets related to several aerospace programs, including the C-17 military transport aircraft, Delta IV rocket and Space Shuttle.

Dongfan "Greg" Chung, 72, of Orange, Calif., was charged with economic espionage and acting as an unregistered foreign agent of the People's Republic of China.

Chung was employed by Rockwell International from 1973 until its defense and space unit was acquired by Boeing in 1996. He retired in 2002, but returned as a contractor from 2003 to September 2006, officials said.

Wainstein said during a Justice Department news conference today that the cases demonstrate the very real threat that espionage has always presented.

"This threat is not new. Espionage has been a fact of life since the founding of the first nation-state, and it was particularly prominent during the Cold War of the last century," he said.

"The threat is very simple. It's a threat to our national security and to our economic position in the world, a threat that is posed by the relentless efforts of foreign intelligence services to penetrate our security systems and steal our most sensitive military technology and information," Wainstein said.