Chinese national arrested for photographing military planes without any permission.
Chinese Student Allegedly Snapped Photos of America's "Doomsday Plane" and Was Arrested Before He Could Leave the Country
A Chinese national was detained at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport after federal officials revealed that he photographed confidential military aircraft near Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.
According to The New York Post, the Chinese national named Tianrui Liang was also planning to target another installation as he was preparing to leave the country.
Warrant was Issued Against Suspect in Nebraska
Chinese national detained for allegedly photographing sensitive "doomsday planes."
Court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York state, Liang is accused of allegedly violating a federal law that prohibits photographing defense installations without any authorization.
Authorities revealed that the suspect was arrested on April 7, 2026 while on his way to board an international flight. A warrant for his arrest had been issued earlier in Nebraska.
According to reports, the case focuses on the activity near Offutt Air Force Base which houses the U.S. Strategic Command. The installation ranks among the most classified facilities operated by the Pentagon.
Liang was Spotted by a Witness Near the Base
Tianrui Liang was detained for taking a series of photographs of military aircrafts without any permission.
An affidavit by the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated that the investigators were informed after a witness reported seeing “a male holding a camera with a telescopic lens” near the base where the aircraft was stationed on the flight line.
The Offutt Air Force Base is home to high-value reconnaissance and command aircraft which also includes the RC-135 surveillance plane and the E-4B “Nightwatch,” which is also known as the military's "doomsday plane."
According to the affidavit, the federal agents said that Tianrui Liang admitted to photographing numerous aircraft at the installation including the RC-135 and the E-4B. The accused added that he had used a “planespotter” website to recognize photography locations and revealed that the images were for his “personal collection.”
However, the officials allege that Liang knowingly took pictures of the restricted military assets without any permission. The affidavit states, “He knew it was illegal to take pictures of the planes on the ground.”
Furthermore, investigators revealed that a review of his camera after his arrest revealed, “numerous photographs of planes located on the OAFB flightline” which also included the photograph of the military aircraft parked on the base.
The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Tianrui Liang, was enrolled at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, according to the investigators and had recently traveled through Canada before entering the United States.
The officials revealed that Liang entered the U.S. through Canada and was later found near the Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. The investigators allege that he was planning to travel through Oklahoma to capture additional aircraft at the Tinker Air Force Base which also included the E-4B.
According to investigators, Liang specifically sought out locations where he could view and photograph aircraft from outside of the military installations.
Under federal law, photographing military installations without a base commander's approval is prohibited. Prosecutors reveal that there is “probable cause to believe” that Tianrui Liang photographed the aircraft at the Offutt Air Force Base without any permission or approval. However, the affidavit does not allege that the accused was acting on behalf of any foreign government or agency.