Chinese National Arrested for Taking Pictures Near Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska

USA – A Chinese national was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport after it was claimed that he had taken pictures of military aircraft near Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, according to local reports on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old Tianrui Liang stands accused of violating a federal law that restricts photographing defense installations without authorization, according to court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York.

Authorities said Liang was detained on April 7 while attempting to board an international flight, days after a warrant was issued in Nebraska.

An FBI affidavit said authorities were tipped off after a witness reported seeing a man with a camera equipped with a long telephoto lens near the base’s flight line, where aircraft are parked.

Offutt Air Force Base is home to critical reconnaissance and command aircraft, such as the RC-135 surveillance plane and the E-4B Nightwatch, often referred to as the military’s “doomsday plane.”

According to federal agents, Liang later acknowledged taking photos of multiple aircraft at the base, including both the RC-135 and the E-4B.

Liang told researchers that the images were intended for his personal collection.

Investigators also said Liang was a student at the University of Glasgow in Scotland and had recently traveled through Canada before entering the US.

Authorities allege he planned to travel to Oklahoma to photograph additional aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base, including the E-4B.