ae

From: Bochenski, Brandon <BBochenski@grandforksgov.com>

Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 12:07 PM
To: Roper, Bart
Cc: Feland, Todd; Gaustad, Dan; Sande, Dana
Subject: Re: GA-AS| Prese Release

Mr. Roper,

Thank you for getting back to us. We had tried to arrange a call with you last week, but you didn’t respond. I did receive
a half hour phone call from Senator Hoeven shortly thereafter, who tried to clarify what your email meant. |am stilla
little puzzled, so a phone call this afternoon would be great.

if you are planning to go forward please include insight on how to manage Cirrus Aircraft, which is a Chinese State
owned entity with a large manufacturing plant even closer to your site. Also, UND houses an aviation program which
trains Chinese Nationals flying out of the Grand Forks Airport, any clarity on your stance with that program would be
helpful as well. The COO of Fufeng USA is in Grand Forks today, we can try to arrange him to join a phone conversation
this afternoon if you are interested in how the company operates or it’s ownership structure.

Does 3:00 PM central time work for you?

Respectfully,
Brandon Bochenski
Mayor of Grand Forks

Get Outlook for iOS

From: Roper, Bart <Barton.Roper@ga-asi.com>

Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 11:38:42 AM
To: Bochenski, Brandon <BBochenski@grandforksgov.com>
Subject: GA-ASI Prese Release

Hello Brandon,

| just wanted to let you know that we are releasing the press release on our opposition to the Chinese land acquisition.

Please let me know if you have any questions. | can be reached at (202-486-7100.

V/R
Bart

Barton Roper
Senior Vice President, Strategic Development
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
3000 K Street NW, Suite 250
Washington, DC 20007
Cell (202) 486-7100
Office (202) 496-8214
nnn

From: Roper, Bart <Barton.Roper@ga-asi.com>

Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2022 11:39 AM
To: Bochenski, Brandon
Subject: GA-ASI Prese Release
Attachments: PR_Chinese land purchase North Dakota D2.docx

Heilo Brandon,

| just wanted to let you know that we are releasing the press release on our opposition to the Chinese land acquisition.

Please let me know if you have any questions. | can be reached at (202-486-7100.

V/R
Bart

Barton Roper
Senior Vice President, Strategic Development
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
3000 K Street NW, Suite 250
Washington, DC 20007
Cell (202) 486-7100
Office (202) 496-8214
ae GENERAL ATONWNCS
AERONAUTICAL
NEWS RELEASE
Draft GA-ASI| Media Relations
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1 (858) 524-8101
ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com

GA-ASI OPPOSES NEW CHINESE AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN GRAND FORKS

Proposed Corn Mill Presents Opportunities for Sophisticated Military-Related Espionage

SAN DIEGO — XX XXX 2022 — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a

leading designer and manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems for U.S. and allied military
forces around the world, firmly opposes a new Chinese agricultural investment near Grand
Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and calls on the U.S. government to halt the project.
A Chinese agricultural conglomerate plans to develop a large-scale corn milling plant
on 370 acres in Grand Forks, just 15 miles from the air base and many established U.S.
defense industry operations. Grand Forks welcomes many U.S. defense technology
companies, including GA-ASI, which uses local airspace to conduct significant test and
evaluation efforts related to unmanned aircraft, radar systems, and other advanced military
technologies. The proposed agricultural project represents a major vulnerability for maintaining
the necessary secrecy and integrity of classified weapons, communications frequencies,
satellite connectivity and many other technologies vital to global security.
“Chinese business efforts are inextricably linked with Chinese government efforts,” said
GA-ASI spokesman C. Mark Brinkley. “We can't ignore the opportunity for sophisticated
military espionage to co-locate itself within a Chinese business of such scale and scope.
Given the proximity to critical national airspace and sensitive military operations on and
around Grand Forks Air Force Base, American leaders should be very, very concerned. | know
lam. So, we've got to act.”
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or another similar authority
must stop the corn mill project, Brinkley said, in view of the security risks it poses.
The Chinese investment project presents problems for America’s allies too. GA-ASI|
has operated in the Grand Forks area for more than a decade and grew its Flight Test and
Training Center to more than 20 acres beginning in 2018 in order to serve as a home for UAS
pilot and maintainer training for all systems deployed worldwide, including in the militaries of
international allies. UAS crews from the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force will begin training
there later this year, learning to pilot and maintain the UK’s new advanced MQ-9B Protector
aircraft, built by GA-ASI.
GA-ASI recognizes that the proposed corn mill would be located on American soil and
may be operated by many U.S. citizen employees, but its foreign ownership and control mean
there is no simple way to ensure the facility does not someday play host to electronic
surveillance or other activities that pose security risks to American and allied unmanned
aviation.
“We understand the significant economic opportunities this proposed agricultural
project represents for the people of Grand Forks and the state of North Dakota,” Brinkley said.
“But no measure of assurances from the company can ever offset the tremendous risk being
introduced. The strategic national security value of Grand Forks cannot be overstated, and
that’s why we’re asking the U.S. government to act swiftly to protect this asset.”

About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a
leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems,
radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and
the Lynx® Multimode Radar. With more than seven million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-
endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to
deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also
produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software, offers
pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas. For more information,
visit www.ga-asi.com. ©? ff)

Avenger, Lynx, Predator, SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian are registered trademarks of General Atomics
Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

###
 eens a
(A A

From: Bochenski, Brandon <BBochenski@grandforksgov.com>

Sent: . Thursday, September 8, 2022 5:44 PM
To: Roper, Bart
Cec: Gaustad, Dan; Feland, Todd; Sande, Dana
Subject: Re: Draft Press Release

Bart,

sent to me.
Upon re-reading your email and the draft press release, I'm not entirely sure it was meant to be
the project, we had
Senator Hoeven had mentioned he could have General Atomics write a letter opposing
case. It appears this has
assumed that would be an organic decision made by GA, that doesn't appear to be the
the
been manufactured in conjunction with Senator Hoeven's office prior to the Aug. 31° response from
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States regarding this project.

Are available for a call tomorrow morning at 8am CST?

Respectfully,
Brandon Bochenski
Mayor of Grand Forks

From: Bochenski, Brandon <BBochenski@grandforksgov.com>

Sent: Thursday, September 8, 2022 10:27 AM
To: Roper, Bart <Barton.Roper@ga-asi.com>
Subject: Re: Draft Press Release

Bart,

We can discuss where we are

Thank you for reaching out. Are you free this afternoon or tomorrow morning for a call?
at locally in this whole process.

Respectfully.
Brandon Bochenski
Mayor of Grand Forks

Get Outlook for iOS

From: Roper, Bart <Bartan.Roper@ga-asi.com>

Sent: Thursday, September 8, 2022 8:44:03 AM
To: Bochenski, Brandon <BBochenski@grandforksgov.com>
Subject: Draft Press Release

Brandon,

General Atomics Aeronautical

My name is Bart Roper and | am the Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at
release to support the
Systems. | have been working with Josh Carter in Senator Hoeven’s office on a potential press
with out draft press release.
areas efforts regarding this Chinese land purchase. Please let me know if the Mayor is okay
Just trying to help.
V/R
Bart

Barton Roper
Senior Vice President, Strategic Development
General! Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
3000 K Street NW, Suite 250
Washington, DC 20007
Cell (202) 486-7100
Office (202) 496-8214
xem nn A

From: Bochenski, Brandon <BBochenski@grandforksgov.com>

Sent: Thursday, September 8, 2022 10:28 AM
To: Roper, Bart
Subject: Re: Draft Press Release

Bart,

where we are
Thank you for reaching out. Are you free this afternoon or tomorrow morning for a call? We can discuss
at locally in this whole process.

Respectfully.
Brandon Bochenski
Mayor of Grand Forks

Get Outlook for iOS

From: Roper, Bart <Barton.Roper@ga-asi.com>

Sent: Thursday, September 8, 2022 8:44:03 AM
To: Bochenski, Brandon <BBochenski@grandforksgov.com>
Subject: Draft Press Release

Brandon,

Atomics Aeronautical
My name is Bart Roper and | am the Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at General
press release to support the
Systems. | have been working with Josh Carter in Senator Hoeven’s office on a potential
out draft press release.
areas efforts regarding this Chinese land purchase. Please let me know if the Mayor is okay with
Just trying to help.

V/R
Bart

Barton Roper
Senior Vice President, Strategic Development
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
3000 K Street NW, Suite 250
Washington, DC 20007
Cell (202) 486-7100
Office (202) 496-8214
 nl

From: Roper, Bart <Barton.Roper@ga-asi.com>

Sent: Thursday, September 8, 2022 8:44 AM
To: bbochenski@grandforksgov.com
Subject: Draft Press Release
Attachments: Chinese land purchase North Dakota PR Draft Final.docx

Brandon,

My name is Bart Roper and | am the Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at General Atomics Aeronautical
Systems. | have been working with Josh Carter in Senator Hoeven’s office on a potential press release to support the
areas efforts regarding this Chinese land purchase. Please let me know if the Mayor is okay with out draft press release.
Just trying to help.

V/R
Bart

Barton Roper
Senior Vice President, Strategic Development
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
3000 K Street NW, Suite 250
Washington, DC 20007
Cell (202) 486-7100
Office (202) 496-8214
 GA-ASI OPPOSES NEW CHINESE AGRICULTURE PROJECT IN GRAND FORKS, N.D.

Proposed Corn Mill Presents Opportunities for Sophisticated Military-Related Espionage

SAN DIEGO — 24 August 2022 — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. {GA-ASI), a leading designer
and manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems for U.S. and allied military forces around the world,
firmly opposes a new Chinese agricultural investment near Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and calls on
the U.S. government to halt the project.

A Chinese agricultural conglomerate plans to develop a large-scale corn milling plant on 370 acres in
Grand Forks, just 15 miles from the air base and many established U.S. defense industry operations.
Grand Forks welcomes many U.S. defense technology companies, including GA-ASI, which uses local
airspace to conduct significant test and evaluation efforts related to unmanned aircraft, radar systems,
and other advanced military technologies. The proposed agricultural project represents a major
vulnerability for maintaining the necessary secrecy and integrity of classified weapons, communications
frequencies, satellite connectivity and many other technologies vital to global security.

“Chinese business efforts are inextricably linked with Chinese government efforts,” said GA-AS!
spokesman C. Mark Brinkley. “We can’t ignore the opportunity for sophisticated military espionage to
co-locate itself within a Chinese business of such scale and scope. Given the proximity to critical national
airspace and sensitive military operations on and around Grand Forks Air Force Base, American leaders
should be very, very concerned. | know | arm. So, we've got to act.”

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or another similar authority must stop the
corn mill project, Brinkley said, in view of the security risks it poses.

The Chinese investment project presents problems for America’s allies too, GA-ASI has operated in the
Grand Forks area for more than a decade and grew its Flight Test and Training Center to more than 20
acres beginning in 2018 in order to serve as a home for UAS pilot and maintainer training for all systems
deployed worldwide, including in the militaries of international allies. UAS crews from the United
Kingdom’s Royal Air Force will begin training there later this year, learning to pilot and maintain the UK’s
new advanced MQ-9B Protector aircraft, built by GA-ASI.

GA-ASI recognizes that the proposed corn mill would be located on American soil and may be operated
by many U.S. citizen employees, but its foreign ownership and control mean there is no simple way to
ensure the facility does not someday play host to electronic surveillance or other activities that pose
security risks to American and allied unmanned aviation.

“We understand the significant economic opportunities this proposed agricultural project represents for
the people of Grand Forks and the state of North Dakota,” Brinkley said. “But no measure of assurances
from the company can ever offset the tremendous risk being introduced. The strategic national security
value of Grand Forks cannot be overstated, and that’s why we’re asking the U.S. government to act
swiftly to protect this asset.”

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading
designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and

10
electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode
Radar. With more than seven million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable
aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables
situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations
and sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops
meta-material antennas. For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.

11