A Chinese national was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after federal authorities said he took photos of sensitive military aircraft near Offett Air Force Base in Nebraska and planned to target another installation as he prepared to leave the country.
According to court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York, 21-year-old Tianrui Liang is accused of violating a federal law that prohibits taking photos of defense installations without authorization.
Authorities said Liang was taken into custody on April 7 while trying to board an international flight, days after the warrant was issued in Nebraska.
The case centers on activity near Offutt Air Force Base, home of the US Strategic Command – one of the Pentagon’s most sensitive installations.
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According to an FBI affidavit, investigators were alerted after a witness reported seeing “a male holding a camera with a telescopic lens” near the base, where the plane was lined up.
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Offutt hosts high-value reconnaissance and command aircraft, including the RC-135 surveillance plane and the E-4B “Nightwatch,” often referred to as the military’s “doomsday plane.”
Federal agents say Liang later admitted to photographing several aircraft at the base “including the RC-135 and E-4B.”
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595th Command and Control Group, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. A US Air Force E-4B, assigned to the Midwest, flies in training on May 15, 2024. The E-4B is a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200, featuring four long-design, cap-away, engines. High-altitude operations and in-flight air refueling.
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Liang told investigators that he used the “Plainspotter” website to identify photography locations and said the images were for his “personal collection.”
Officials alleged that he deliberately took photos of restricted military assets without permission.
“He knew it was illegal to take pictures of planes on the ground,” the affidavit said.
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US Army personnel guide an E-4B “Nightwatch” plane known as the “Doomsday Plane” onto the tarmac. Federal officials say a similar plane was photographed near Offett Air Force Base in Nebraska as part of an investigation into a Chinese national arrested in New York.
Investigators said a subsequent review of his cameras revealed “numerous images of aircraft located on the OAFB flightline,” including images of military aircraft parked on the base.
Liang was a student at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, according to investigators, and had recently traveled through Canada before entering the United States.
Authorities said Liang entered the United States through Canada and was later found near Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Investigators alleged that he planned to travel to Oklahoma to photograph additional aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base, including the E-4B.
Investigators said Liang specifically sought out places where he could see and photograph aircraft from outside military installations.
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The law prohibits taking photographs of military installations without the approval of the base commander. Prosecutors said there was “probable cause to believe” Liang photographed the aircraft at Offutt Air Force Base without that approval.
The affidavit did not allege that Liang was acting on behalf of any foreign government.
Original article source: A Chinese national has been arrested at JFK for taking pictures of US military aircraft at a Nebraska base
