{"id":134838,"date":"2026-02-27T23:34:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T18:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=134838"},"modified":"2026-02-27T23:15:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T17:45:01","slug":"former-us-air-force-f-35-instructor-arrested-for-allegedly-training-chinese-military-pilots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/27\/former-us-air-force-f-35-instructor-arrested-for-allegedly-training-chinese-military-pilots\/","title":{"rendered":"Former US Air Force F-35 Instructor Arrested For Allegedly Training Chinese Military Pilots"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON, D.C.-<\/strong> A former United States Air Force<\/a> major and contractor instructor on the F-35 Lightning II<\/a> has been arrested for allegedly training Chinese military pilots without US authorization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal prosecutors state that the conduct violated the Arms Export Control Act and exposed sensitive air combat expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The case forms part of a broader pattern in which former Western military aviators allegedly assisted China\u2019s expanding airpower programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to TWZ<\/a>, the involvement of a former F-35 simulator instructor heightens concern due to the aircraft\u2019s classified systems and operational doctrine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Former
Photo: Staff Sgt. Jensen Stidham | Wikimedia Commons\nhttps:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Australian_airman_on_the_wing_of_a_F-35_in_August_2018.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Criminal Charges And Arrest Details<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. Department of Justice charged Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., 65, a retired US Air Force major who previously used the callsign \u201cRunner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CASE UPDATE from @NewYorkFBI<\/a>: Former U.S. Air Force Pilot Arrested for Providing Defense Services to the Chinese Military https:\/\/t.co\/JhwhJHS83v<\/a>@FBILouisville<\/a> @FBIIndianapolis<\/a> and @FBILosAngeles<\/a> provided assistance in this case. pic.twitter.com\/3KElqci05y<\/a><\/p>— FBI (@FBI) February 25, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>