Federal agents arrested 21-year-old Tianrui Liang at JFK on April 7 after a Nebraska warrant accused him of photographing military aircraft at Offutt Air Force Base. Court documents say Liang admitted to photographing sensitive planes including the RC-135 and the E-4B and used a planespotter website to find vantage points. Authorities say his camera contained numerous flight-line images and that he planned to visit Tinker AFB; the affidavit does not allege he acted for a foreign government.
Chinese National Arrested at JFK After Allegedly Photographing Sensitive U.S. Military Aircraft Near Offutt AFB
Chinese national arrested at JFK after allegedly photographing US military aircraft at Nebraska base
Federal authorities arrested 21-year-old Tianrui Liang at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on April 7 after a warrant from Nebraska accused him of photographing sensitive military aircraft near Offutt Air Force Base and planning to visit another installation before leaving the country.
A U.S. Air Force E-4B assigned to the 595th Command and Control Group, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., flies on a training sortie over the Midwest, May, 15, 2024. The E-4B is a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200, consisting of four engines, a swept-wing design, and capable of long-range, high-altitude operations and in-flight air refueling.(Fox News)
What Authorities Allege
Court filings in the Eastern District of New York say Liang is charged with violating a federal statute that prohibits photographing defense installations without authorization. Agents say a witness reported seeing “a male holding a camera with a telescopic lens” near the Offutt flight line, where aircraft park and are serviced.
U.S. military personnel guide an E-4B "Nightwatch" aircraft, known as the "doomsday plane," on the tarmac. Federal authorities say similar aircraft were photographed near Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska as part of an investigation into a Chinese national arrested in New York.
Federal investigators allege Liang admitted to taking pictures of several aircraft on the Offutt flight line, specifically identifying the RC-135 reconnaissance plane and the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center (often called the military’s “doomsday plane”). A forensic review of his camera reportedly revealed numerous images of aircraft parked on the base.
Movements and Intent
According to the affidavit, Liang used a publicly available "planespotter" website to identify vantage points and told investigators the photos were for his "personal collection." Authorities say he entered the United States via Canada and had been a student at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. They also allege he planned to travel to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma to photograph additional aircraft.
Legal Context and Investigation
Prosecutors say there is probable cause to believe Liang photographed restricted military assets without the required approval from a base commander. The affidavit does not allege that he was acting on behalf of any foreign government. The matter remains under active federal investigation.
Note: The details above summarize allegations in court filings and an affidavit. Charges and allegations are subject to legal processes and defenses.
Help us improve.
