Chinese national arrested for photographing Vandenberg Space Force Base with drone

[chowder66]

A Chinese national who resides in Brentwood was arrested moments before boarding a flight to China following allegations that he flew a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base late last month and took photos, officials announced Monday.

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Yinpiao Zhou, a 39-year-old Chinese citizen and lawful permanent resident of the U.S., was arrested Dec. 9 at San Francisco International Airport prior to his flight.

Federal investigators said that on Nov. 30, drone detection systems at Vandenberg in Santa Barbara County detected the unmanned aircraft flying at an altitude of nearly a mile above ground level for almost an hour, with launch and return of the drone originating at Ocean Park, a public area near the base.

“Base security personnel went to the park, spoke to Zhou and another person accompanying him, and learned that Zhou had a drone concealed in his jacket – the same one that flew over the base,” the release stated.

more....
https://ktla.com/news/california/chinese-national-caught-photographing-vandenberg-space-force-base-from-drone/

And just for fun....
Six ways to disable a drone

The last two are my favorite....
1. Guns (not really recommended)
2. Nets (drones with nets, etc)
3. Radio Waves
4. Hacking
5. Eagles (awesome imagery)
6. Jet Skis (awesome imagery)

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/six-ways-to-disable-a-drone/

[Dave Bowman]

1. The Chinese will probably retaliate by arresting a couple of American tourists.

[Wicked Blue]

2. Could this be connected to the drones flying over NJ?

They seem to be a mystery.

[chowder66]

3. I have no idea but that is why the article caught my attention.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. Anyone else thinking that someone is preparing to take advantage of the chaos that is going to come

in with a Trump Administration?

[chowder66]

5. Yes. I was just thinking about that minutes ago.

[chowder66]

6. The appointment of so many incompetent people makes them dangerous in every direction.

Our enemies will reap rewards no doubt (by exploitation) but they should tread carefully considering there are no guardrails that will stop the worst instincts of the incoming administration.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. Precisely. So many of the idiots that I talked to on Facebook thought that a college education was

overrated. Now they're going to see what happens when you put drifters and incompetents in positions of power.

I hope Biden makes it very clear that he's leaving Trump with the best plans to protect our nation. It will be Trump who will make the bad decision to remove necessary personnel from important positions.

[chowder66]

9. As someone without a degree (some college), I agree completely.

I want educated, qualified and civilized leaders. People who can adapt quickly and intelligently when situations shift. People who can see the long term benefits or ramifications. We just had that for the most part. If anything we needed more of the same; bigger majorities and more time to address and expand on issues that matter.

Unfortunately the people want more (and faster)... so what do they do? They do the opposite and expect those things to happen when they are going to get more of the same pain the Republicans have brought in every administration since Reagan.

We have to figure out how to get the however-many-millions of people who are eligible to vote but don't vote, educated and excited about voting... alas it may be too late.

[LeftInTX]

7. My dad was stationed there 1967-69.

Yep. a drone would be a big no-no at Vandenberg. We lived in officer quarters, which was the closest to the missile launches. Since earthquakes are always a possibility in the area and the two have similar sounds, launches were often reported in the local paper: "An ICBM was launched from Vandenberg AFB"

Minuteman III Test Launch Showcases Readiness of U.S. Nuclear Force’s Safe, Effective Deterrent

Published Nov. 6, 2024
By Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs
Space Launch Delta 30
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif --
A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and Navy aircrew launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with multiple targetable re-entry vehicles from aboard the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) Nov. 5, 2024, at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

Airmen from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron out of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, were aboard the U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft to demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of the ALCS system. Airmen and Guardians from Vandenberg

"This Minuteman III test launch exemplified the mission readiness, agility, and professionalism of the personnel at Vandenberg, Global Strike Command, and the U.S. Navy," said Col. Dorian Hatcher, Space Launch Delta 30 deputy commander. "Every test of this deterrent system at Vandenberg underscores the nations robust capabilities and highlights the indispensable support our Airmen and Guardians provide to ensure national security."

This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities intended to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable and effective to deter 21st century threats and reassure our allies.
https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3957637/minuteman-iii-test-launch-showcases-readiness-of-us-nuclear-forces-safe-effecti/