The U.S. “Doomsday Plane” (E-4B) is often called the “Flying Pentagon”
A 21-year-old Chinese national was arrested at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport after filming a top-secret U.S. military aircraft at a Nebraska Air Force base.According to federal authorities, Leong was detained on April 7 while trying to board an international flight. Liang is accused of violating a federal law that restricts unauthorized filming of defense installations.The accusations focus on Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, a highly sensitive site home to U.S. Strategic Command. The base is known for housing important military surveillance and command aircraft.The investigation began after a witness reported seeing “a man holding a camera with a telescoping lens” in an area near the base where planes were parked on the flight path, according to an FBI affidavit.Liang later admitted to taking photos of several aircraft stationed there, “including RC-135s and E-4Bs.” The E-4B aircraft is often called the military’s “doomsday plane.” The E-4B is a heavily modified military aircraft designed to serve as a flight command center during national emergencies. It is built to withstand nuclear explosions, electromagnetic pulses and other extreme conditions and serves as the “Flying Pentagon” for the President of the United States.Liang reportedly told investigators he used the Plane Spotter website to identify suitable locations for photography and claimed the images were from his “personal collection.”However, investigators claimed he was aware of the restrictions. “He knew it was illegal to take photos of aircraft from the ground,” the affidavit states.A review of Liang’s camera revealed numerous photos of aircraft, including images of military aircraft parked at the base. Liang plans to continue photographing military sites. He even planned to travel to Oklahoma to target aircraft, including E-4Bs, at Tinker Air Force Base.Liang, a student at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, recently passed through Canada before entering the United States. He entered the United States via Canada and was later found near the base in Nebraska, officials said.However, it could not be confirmed whether Liang was acting on behalf of any foreign government. But prosecutors argued there was “probable reason to believe” Liang photographed restricted military assets without the approval of the base commander.
