Omaha, Neb. — A Chinese national was arrested at J-F-K Airport in New York after allegedly photographying sensitive U.S. military aircraft.
21 year old Tianrui Liang is accused of taking photos of sensitive U.S. military aircraft at Offutt Air Force Base (Offutt AFB) near Omaha. The base is home to U.S. Strategic Command, one of the Pentagon’s most sensitive installations.
Updated information released by Offutt clarifies that the individual did NOT gain access to the air base.
The air base explained that the matter is part of an ongoing investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The release says Offutt AFB is fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities.
The release also says due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, Offutt will defer additional questions to the FBI and are unable to provide further details at this time.
According to court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York, Liang also planned to target Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.
Authorities say he entered the U.S. through Canada. Liang told investigators he used a plane spotter website to identify photography locations.
He was arrested earlier this month for allegedly photographing military aircraft, including the “doomsday plane” at Offutt.
