Chinese university student charged with illegally taking photos of US military planes

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Student taken into custody after allegedly photographing sensitive military aircraft near key air force base in Nebraska during US road trip

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Lucy Quagginin New YorkPublished: 6:30am, 22 Apr 2026Updated: 6:35am, 22 Apr 2026A Chinese university student has been charged with unauthorised photography of US military aircraft in Nebraska during a road trip through several states, which included a stop at an air force base in South Dakota.

Tianrui Liang, who is studying in Glasgow, was arrested at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport on April 7 as he attempted to return to Scotland, court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York revealed.

The 21-year-old has been charged with photographing defence installations without authorisation, which is prohibited under US law.

AdvertisementOn March 26, Liang flew to Vancouver, Canada, to meet a friend who attends university in New York. The pair drove across the US border in Washington state before the friend returned to New York to attend classes. Liang then drove to Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, the affidavit stated.He then travelled from Ellsworth to Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska, where he told investigators that he had photographed several aircraft, including an RC-135, a reconnaissance plane, and an E-4B, the FBI said. The base is home to the US Strategic Command.

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