A former United States Air Force officer, identified as Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., 65, has been arrested and accused of providing defense services to the Chinese military without authorization. The Justice Department alleges that Brown, a former major and F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot, betrayed his country by training pilots for a nation considered a strategic competitor. The arrest, which took place Wednesday in Jeffersonville, Indiana, highlights ongoing concerns about foreign governments attempting to acquire sensitive military expertise from current and former U.S. Personnel. This case involving alleged training of Chinese military pilots underscores the importance of safeguarding national security interests.
Brown, also known by the call sign “Runner,” is charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), which regulates the export of defense articles and services. According to the Justice Department, he allegedly conspired to provide these services to Chinese military pilots. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated, “The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots.” The AECA requires a license from the State Department for U.S. Citizens to provide training to foreign militaries, a requirement authorities say Brown did not meet.
Decades of Experience, Alleged Betrayal
The FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division is leading the investigation. Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating Brown “allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect.” Rozhavsky added that the Chinese government actively seeks to exploit the expertise of U.S. Armed forces members to modernize its military capabilities. This arrest, he said, “serves as a warning.”
Brown served in the Air Force for 24 years, holding positions that included leading combat missions and commanding sensitive units, including those related to nuclear weapons delivery systems, according to the Justice Department. After leaving the military in 1996, he transitioned to commercial cargo piloting before becoming a defense contractor. In this role, he trained U.S. Pilots on advanced aircraft such as the F-35 and A-10.
Travel to China and Alleged Training
The Justice Department alleges that Brown traveled to China in December 2023 to initiate training Chinese pilots, remaining in the country until early February 2026. His contract for this training was reportedly negotiated by Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national previously convicted of hacking a U.S. Defense contractor to steal military secrets. In 2016, Su Bin pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the cyber espionage operation, as reported by the Department of Justice.
Similar Case and Broader Concerns
Brown’s case bears similarities to that of Daniel Duggan, a former U.S. Marine Corps pilot arrested in Australia in 2022. Duggan is currently fighting extradition to the U.S. To face charges related to providing pilot training to the Chinese armed forces, also in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Duggan appealed his extradition in October 2025, but it was approved by Australia’s then Attorney General Mark Dreyfus in December 2024, according to Al Jazeera.
The arrests of both Brown and Duggan come amid growing concerns about China’s efforts to recruit Western military personnel to gain access to sensitive expertise. In 2024, the governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States issued a joint notice warning current and former armed forces members about these recruitment efforts. The notice stated that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) seeks to harness Western military expertise to bolster its own capabilities, posing a threat to the security of recruits, their colleagues, and allied nations. Providing unauthorized training or expertise to a foreign military can result in both civil and criminal penalties.
International Response and Warnings
Australia has taken steps to address this issue, with plans to toughen laws regarding former military staff who may train foreign armies, as reported by Al Jazeera. The joint notice from the five nations emphasized the risks associated with sharing Western military knowledge with potential adversaries.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia affirmed that Brown “and anyone conspiring against our Nation” will be held accountable for their actions. Brown is expected to create his initial appearance before a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana on February 26, 2026.
The case is being prosecuted by the National Security Division of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The investigation remains ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings unfold. The Department of Justice has not released further information regarding potential co-conspirators or the scope of the alleged training provided to Chinese pilots.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by foreign nations to acquire sensitive military technology and expertise, and the importance of vigilance in protecting national security interests. Readers seeking information about reporting potential espionage or foreign influence activities can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
