The American “Doomsday Plane” (E-4B) is often called the “Flying Pentagon.”
A 21-year-old Chinese national was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after filming a top-secret US military plane at an air force base in Nebraska.Tianrui Liang was detained on April 7 while trying to board an international flight, according to federal authorities. Liang was accused of violating a federal law restricting photography of defense installations without a permit.The accusations center around Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, a highly sensitive site that houses the US Strategic Command. The base is famous for housing important military surveillance and command aircraft.According to an FBI affidavit, the investigation began after a witness reported seeing “a man with a camera with a telescopic lens” near the base, in an area where planes were stationed on the flight line.Liang later admitted to taking photographs of several aircraft stationed there, “including RC-135s and E-4Bs.” The E-4B is often referred to as the military’s “doomsday plane.” The E-4B is a heavily modified military aircraft designed to serve as an aviation command center during national emergencies.
It is designed to withstand nuclear explosions, electromagnetic pulses and other extreme conditions, and serve as a “flying Pentagon” for the President of the United States.Liang reportedly told investigators that he used an “aircraft spotter” website to identify suitable locations for photography and claimed the photos were for his “personal collection.”However, investigators claim he was aware of the restrictions. “He knew it was illegal to take pictures of airplanes on the ground,” the affidavit said.A review of Liang’s camera revealed numerous images of aircraft, including images of military aircraft parked inside the base. Liang had plans to continue photographing military sites. He even intended to travel to Oklahoma to target aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base, including the E-4B.Liang, a student at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, recently traveled through Canada before entering the United States.
Officials say he crossed into the United States via Canada and was later found near the Nebraska base.However, it remains uncertain that Liang was acting on behalf of any foreign government. But prosecutors believe there is “probable cause to believe” that Liang photographed prohibited military assets without obtaining the required approval from the base commander.
