Two Chinese nationals arrested for spying on US Navy personnel and basesAccording to an FBI affidavit investigators were alerted when a witness reported that “a male holding a telescopic camera” near the base where aircraft are on the flightline. Federal agents claim that Liang admitted to taking photos of several aircraft, including the RC-135 surveillance plane and the E-4B. “FOREIGN NATIONALS FLYING DRONES OVER US MILITARY SITES RAISES ‘ESPIONAGE’ CONCERN: EXPERTLiang told investigators he used a “planespotter” website to identify photography locations and said the images were for his “personal collection,” according to the affidavit.Authorities allege he knowingly photographed restricted military assets without permission. “He knew that it was illegal to photograph planes on the ground,” states the affidavit. A Chinese national was sentenced to prison for sabotaging an employer’s systems with a “kill switch.” Investigators said they reviewed his camera and found “numerous photos of planes located at the OAFB Flightline,” including Investigators claim he intended to travel to Oklahoma in order to photograph more aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base including the E-4B. The law prohibits taking pictures of military installations without the permission of a base commander.
