Chinese national arrested at JFK after allegedly photographing US military aircraft at Nebraska base
A Chinese national was arrested at New York’s John F.Kennedy International Airport after federal authorities say he photographed sensitive military aircraft near Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and planned to target another installation as he prepared to leave the country.Tianrui Liang, 21, is 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 say Liang was taken into custody April 7 while attempting to board an international flight, just days after a warrant was issued in Nebraska.The case centers on activity near Offutt Air Force Base, home to US Strategic Command — one of the Pentagon’s most sensitive installations.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 aircraft are stationed on the flight line.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 the E-4B.”Liang told investigators he used a “planespotter” website to identify photography locations and said the images were for his “personal collection,” according to the affidavit.Authorities allege he knowingly photographed restricted military assets without permission.“He knew it was illegal to take pictures of the planes on the ground,” the affidavit states.
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Investigators said a subsequent review of his camera revealed “numerous photographs of pla...