A 21-year-old Chinese national, Tianrui Liang, has been arrested at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport after allegedly photographing sensitive military aircraft without authorization at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. Federal authorities charged him with violating a law prohibiting unauthorized photography of defense installations.

Liang is accused of capturing images of the U.S. Strategic Command’s 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.” According to court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York, Liang was detained on April 7 while attempting to board an international flight following a warrant issued by Nebraska authorities.

An FBI affidavit reveals Liang traveled from Vancouver, Canada, to Billings, Montana, before driving to Offutt Air Force Base after learning the strategic bomber he sought had been relocated there. Investigators state Liang admitted to photographing multiple aircraft at the base and acknowledged his actions were “only for his own personal collection,” despite knowing such activity violates federal law. The affidavit notes he obtained the idea from a planespotter website, which provided guidance on accessing flightlines at military installations.

Offutt Air Force Base, located south of Omaha, hosts the U.S. Strategic Command and the 55th Wing—the largest unit in the Air Force’s Air Combat Command. Authorities reported a witness saw Liang operating a camera with a telescopic lens near the base while aircraft were on the runway.