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Chinese national covertly photographs Vandenberg Space Force

December 11, 2024

By KAREN VELIE

FBI agents arrested a Chinese national on Monday for allegedly flying a drone over and taking photographs of Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

A drone detection system at Vandenberg spotted the drone flying over the base for nearly an hour and almost a mile off the ground on Nov. 30. Security staff determined the drone was launched from Ocean Park, a public area next to the base.

Base security personnel confronted Yinpiao Zhou, 39, and another person who accompanied him at the park, and learned that Zhou had a drone concealed in his jacket – the same one that flew over the base.

Agents arrested Zhou at San Francisco International Airport prior to him boarding a China-bound flight on Monday. Zhou is charged with failure to register a non-transport aircraft and violation of national defense airspace.

Following the arrest, agents secured a federal search warrant for Zhou’s drone and found several photographs of Vandenberg Space Force Base. A search of Zhou’s cellphone showed Zhou conducted a Google search approximately one month earlier for the phrase “Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules” and messaged with another person about hacking his drone to allow it to fly higher than it was programed.

Zhou is a Chinese citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States, most recently returning to the United States from China in Feb. 2024. The person accompanying Zhou at Ocean Park arrived in the United States from China on Nov. 26.

If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum sentence of four years in federal prison.

 


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I wonder who is behind all the drones flying over New Jersey this week. Upwards of 50 at a time flying grid patterns, most the size of a small car. China, Iran, Russia?

I expect they are gathering electronic intel, but for what purpose?

As for the Chinese exchange students, the reason there are so many is because the universities get international tuition rates paid in full by communist China; it’s easy money for the university and the kids are great students. Also pretty good spies too.


23

So about a month ago, I was driving southbound on Hwy 1 from MB to SLO, I had just passed the shooting range, when on my left I saw a Huge white drone the size of a pick-up truck! It was flying pretty low. I assumed it was from Camp SLO? IT crossed hwy 1 overhead and flew back towards MB. I admit I was stunned seeing it! Gave me an eerie feeling. I guessed they were testing out drones capable of carrying Humans?

so I am SURE those drones in NJ must have been the same kind? Def American!!


-4

Maybe the big guy will give them a pardon.


14

Nearly and hour? I know Space Force doesn’t train in the combat arms, but SOMEBODY should have been shooting at that thing! Ocean Beach Park is not only in a no-fly zone (ALL of Vandenberg is), but it is deeply into the FAA “We will make your life miserable” zone. Ocean Beach is also very near the old Shuttle launch platform, and from a mile up, ALL the heavy launch platforms are visible, along with any and all access roads.


The hell with jail for these two, their government and relatives should be informed of the immediate demise as spies.


23

Vandenberg new about the drone the second it was in the sky. It was hush hush though since it happened on Nov 29th as they wanted to see who the pilot was and where he was going. The images from the drone are far worse than anything the public can see via google earth so there was never any security risk from photography. It was a mile up in the sky and the size of a small bird, what gun is going to shoot that down and where would the bullets land that missed? In a populated area. The real threat of drones flying around Vandenberg is if someone arms one like Ukraine does and tries to blow something up, which could have been phase 2 if they had gotten away with the first flight.


28

Chinese balloon flying across the country? 30,000+ Chinese illegal aliens? Ticking time bomb?


45

All of the Chi-Coms in the USA, including the Chi-Coms on Zuckerbergs payroll, need to be deported back to China.


26

Do you realize America hosts International students in colleges LOL.


-14

Yes, and in my opinion the New administration should cancel all graduate school visas for Chinese citizens in STEM subjects.


24

I’m telling you all that China is planning to attack the USA… and Biden removes our ships from Asia?… why?… what is going on?… I wish we had a curious media in America… this is getting scary…


26

But America can kill people internationally without a trial. Be scared of rich people and CEOs.


-26

Rich people and CEOs are wonderful.


-22

Yeah Norcounty, hence their all tied to Epstein, like; Musk and his brother, Trump, Clinton. Personally, I don’t condone pedophilia and sex trafficking kids.


I see an awakening of the masses, or I hope.


5

I agree. The masses woke and it was revealed on November 5th.


13

And who, exactly, have we killed “internationally”? Before you answer, make sure they weren’t a military leader or other combatant, that had carried out, or incited under authority, violent and fatal actions against US personnel.


13

He’s probably referring to Obama sending missiles to destroy people, including an American-born citizen named al-Awlaki, whom Obama deemed killable based on his terrorist connections.


5

Fear Taylor Swift? Why? She seems like a caring person.


0