Chinese national Tianrui Liang, 21, arrested at JFK for photographing Offutt AFB doomsday planes

Investigators reviewed Liang’s camera and found numerous photographs of planes located on the Offutt Air Force Base flightline, including images of the RC-135 and the E-4B. He identified photography locations using a planespotter website and said the photos were for his personal collection. The FBI affidavit states there is probable cause to believe he photographed aircraft at Offutt without authorization from a base commander. The case also notes Liang had been a student at Glasgow University and had recently traveled through Canada before entering the United States, and that he allegedly planned to travel to Oklahoma to photograph additional aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base.

Tianrui Liang, 21, was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport while attempting to board an international flight. Federal authorities say he photographed sensitive military aircraft near Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and allegedly planned to travel to Oklahoma to photograph additional aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base. Liang was charged with violating a federal law that restricts photographing defense installations without authorization. He admitted photographing several aircraft at Offutt, including the RC-135 and the E-4B, and said he used a planespotter website to identify locations for his 'personal collection.' He knew photographing planes on the ground was illegal. Investigators note he traveled through Canada before entering the United States.

Days before Liang's arrest, a warrant related to the Nebraska investigation was issued, as reported by Fox News.