WASHINGTON, D.C.- A former United States Air Force major and contractor instructor on the F-35 Lightning II has been arrested for allegedly training Chinese military pilots without US authorization.
Federal prosecutors state that the conduct violated the Arms Export Control Act and exposed sensitive air combat expertise.
The case forms part of a broader pattern in which former Western military aviators allegedly assisted China’s expanding airpower programs.
According to TWZ, the involvement of a former F-35 simulator instructor heightens concern due to the aircraft’s classified systems and operational doctrine.
Criminal Charges And Arrest Details
The U.S. Department of Justice charged Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., 65, a retired US Air Force major who previously used the callsign “Runner.”
Authorities arrested him in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He is scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge in the Southern District of Indiana on February 26, 2026.
Prosecutors filed a criminal complaint accusing Brown of providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without a license from the US State Department.
The alleged conduct violates the Arms Export Control Act and falls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated that Brown was trained as an elite fighter pilot and entrusted with national defense responsibilities.
Federal law prohibits U.S. citizens, whether military or civilian, from providing military training to foreign forces without authorization.
Roman Rozhavsky, assistant director of the FBI Counterintelligence and Espionage Division, alleged that Brown betrayed his oath by training Chinese pilots. US Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro stated that such conduct jeopardizes US service members and allies.
Lee M. Russ, Executive Director of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Office of Special Projects, described unauthorized military training to adversaries as a significant national security threat.
Military Career And Post-Service Work
Brown served more than 24 years in the US Air Force and flew combat missions. During his career, he commanded sensitive units, including units involved in nuclear weapons delivery missions.
He worked as an instructor and simulator instructor on multiple aircraft platforms, including the F-4, F-15, F-16, and A-10.
After leaving active duty in 1996, Brown became a commercial cargo pilot. He later worked as a contract simulator instructor, training US pilots on the F-35 and the A-10 attack aircraft.
Although he did not fly the F-35 operationally, his simulator instruction role exposed him to advanced training environments.
Alleged Coordination With Chinese Intermediary
The Department of Justice alleges that Brown’s contract to train Chinese aviators was negotiated by Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national who pleaded guilty in 2016 to conspiring to hack major US defense contractors on behalf of China. He received a four-year prison sentence.
Authorities state that Brown’s relationship with Su Bin began around August 2023. In communications cited by prosecutors, Brown allegedly expressed his intent to train People’s Republic of China military pilots.
His résumé reportedly listed his objective as “Instructor Fighter Pilot.” A co-conspirator allegedly referenced assigning Brown to the Chinese equivalent of the US Air Force Weapons School.
Brown allegedly traveled to China in December 2023 and remained there until returning to the United States earlier this month. Prosecutors claim that on his first day in China he was questioned for three hours about the US Air Force.
The following day, he reportedly delivered a personal briefing to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
Authorities further allege that upon arrival he stated he now had the opportunity to fly and instruct fighter pilots again.
Sensitivity Of F-35 Training Systems
The F-35 Lightning II integrates stealth shaping, advanced sensor fusion, and network-enabled combat systems.
Some training simulators incorporate mission data, tactical scenarios, and operational doctrine that may be export-controlled or classified.
Unauthorized disclosure of tactics, techniques, and procedures could enable foreign militaries to refine countermeasures. China has demonstrated sustained interest in Western stealth programs.
Cyber espionage efforts have targeted US aerospace contractors involved in stealth aircraft development.
One U.S. defense contractor, Honeywell, reached a settlement with the US government after being accused of exporting technical drawings related to aircraft, missiles, and tanks, including components connected to the F-35, to multiple countries, including China.
China continues to advance its own fifth-generation platform, the Shenyang J-35, which is now described as being in a semi-operational state.
Comparable Cases And International Recruitment
Brown’s case follows charges filed in 2017 against former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan. Details became public in 2022 after his arrest in Australia following travel from China. He is currently pending extradition to the United States.
Duggan, a former AV-8B pilot, is accused of training Chinese military aviators in tactics and procedures related to aircraft carrier takeoff and landing operations.
China’s modernization includes the aircraft carrier CNS Fujian, equipped with electromagnetic catapults and integrated with J-15T fighter aircraft.
In 2022, reports indicated that at least 30 former United Kingdom military pilots had been recruited to support Chinese training programs. Compensation reportedly reached approximately £240,000 per year.
In 2023, the German government pledged to shut down similar training activities involving former Luftwaffe personnel, including a former Eurofighter EF2000 pilot.
In 2024, the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom issued a joint bulletin warning that China’s People’s Liberation Army continues to target current and former military personnel from NATO nations and other Western countries, In February of the previous year, Gen. James B. Hecker stated that personnel retain a responsibility to protect tactics and procedures even after leaving service.
National Security Implications
The Arms Export Control Act and ITAR regulate the export of defense articles and services, including training. Violations carry potential criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
Officials argue that foreign access to Western tactical doctrine can accelerate military modernization beyond hardware acquisition alone.
The case underscores the convergence of counterintelligence enforcement, export controls, and strategic aerospace competition.
If convicted, Brown faces significant legal consequences. The investigation remains ongoing.
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