Chinese National Arrested for Allegedly Photographing US Air Force Planes

Federal authorities announced the arrest of Tianrui Liang, a 21-year-old Chinese national, for allegedly photographing US Air Force planes without authorization at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska. The base serves as a key location for the Air Force’s Strategic Command.

Liang entered the United States from Canada on March 28, 2026, using a valid B1/B2 visa, crossing from Vancouver to Washington.

to visiting Offutt Air Force Base, Liang was reportedly at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. He also expressed interest in Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, according to reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigation cited by The Associated Press.

Liang allegedly used a camera with a telescopic lens to photograph an RC-135 and an E-4B aircraft from a public road near Offutt Air Force Base, as stated in investigative documents. Witnesses reported the incident, according to local media outlet KETV.

After being confronted by investigators, Liang drove to New York and was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport on April 7, 2026, while attempting to board a flight to Glasgow, Scotland, where he attends school. Liang appeared in a federal magistrate court in New York, where a judge initially released him, but prosecutors successfully appealed the decision.

He was returned to federal custody on April 10, 2026, and remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service.

reportedly admitted to investigators that he knew photographing the planes on the ground was illegal, though he claimed the images were for his personal collection. If convicted on the current charge, he faces up to one year in prison. Authorities indicated that more serious charges could be filed as the investigation continues.

U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods stated that individuals attempting to acquire sensitive military information unlawfully would be held accountable under federal law. The case highlights ongoing concerns about unauthorized access to military installations, with federal officials emphasizing the protection of sensitive assets.