Man Facing Charges for Allegedly Operating Drone Over Base

A Chinese national faces serious charges after allegedly flying a drone over a critical U.S. military installation.

At a Glance

Yinpiao Zhou, a Chinese citizen, has been arrested for flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The drone contained aerial photographs of the sensitive military facility.
Zhou was apprehended at San Francisco International Airport before boarding a flight to China.
Charges include failing to register an aircraft and violating national defense airspace.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about Chinese espionage targeting U.S. military sites.

Chinese National Arrested in Drone Incident at U.S. Military Base

In a concerning development for U.S. national security, Yinpiao Zhou, a Chinese citizen and permanent U.S. resident, has been arrested for allegedly flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The incident, which occurred on November 30, has raised alarms about potential espionage activities targeting sensitive military installations.

According to authorities, Zhou operated the drone from Ocean Park near the base for nearly an hour, reaching an altitude of almost one mile. The gravity of the situation became apparent when security personnel discovered Zhou with the drone concealed in his jacket, along with aerial photographs of the base stored on the device.

Chinese citizen charged with flying drone over key US military, NASA rocket launch base, taking photos https://t.co/vR7msDmjyH pic.twitter.com/ojVKZbVAGQ

— New York Post (@nypost) December 11, 2024

Premeditated Action and Attempted Departure

Evidence suggests that Zhou’s actions were premeditated. Investigators found that he had previously searched for “Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules” and had discussions about hacking his drone to fly at higher altitudes. These findings indicate a deliberate attempt to circumvent security measures and gather sensitive information.

Zhou’s attempt to leave the country was thwarted when he was apprehended at San Francisco International Airport just before boarding a flight to China. This swift action by law enforcement prevented potentially sensitive information from leaving U.S. soil.

Charges and Potential Consequences

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Zhou with failing to register an aircraft and violating national defense airspace. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison and fines totaling nearly $400,000. Zhou is currently in federal custody pending an appeal against a judge’s decision to release him.

The base plays a crucial role in supporting West Coast launch activities for various U.S. defense and space agencies. It houses facilities for launching top-secret spy satellites and anti-missile defense installations, making it a highly sensitive and strategically important location.

Broader Implications for National Security

This incident occurs amid heightened concerns in Washington about Chinese espionage targeting U.S. military bases and other sensitive sites. It follows a series of similar security breaches, including the case of Wenheng Zhao, a China-born U.S. citizen recently sentenced for sharing classified Navy information with a Chinese contact.

The timing of Zhou’s drone flight is particularly concerning, given recent activities at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The facility recently hosted a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch for the Department of Defense’s National Reconnaissance Office and conducted a test-firing of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in November.

As tensions between the United States and China continue to simmer, incidents like these underscore the ongoing challenges in safeguarding critical military infrastructure and sensitive information. The case of Yinpiao Zhou serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats to national security and the need for continued vigilance in protecting America’s most sensitive military installations.