 |
| Poster / DHS.gov |
iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published February 28, 2026
_____
Former U.S. Air Force Pilot Arrested for Allegedly Training Chinese Military Pilots
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — A former U.S. Air Force officer and fighter pilot has been arrested on federal charges alleging he provided unauthorized defense services to Chinese military pilots, according to federal authorities.
Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., 65, a U.S. citizen also known by the call sign “Runner,” was taken into custody on February 26, 2026, and charged by criminal complaint with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to foreign military personnel without authorization, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). Brown is expected to make his initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from multiple field offices and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Allegations of Training Chinese Military Pilots
According to the complaint, Brown allegedly conspired beginning in or around August 2023 to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Authorities say this type of instruction qualifies as a “defense service” under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and requires a license from the U.S. State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
Investigators allege Brown did not have the required authorization when he arranged and ultimately traveled to China in December 2023 to begin training Chinese military pilots. After arriving, he reportedly spent hours answering questions about U.S. Air Force operations and later presented a briefing about himself to PLAAF personnel.
Federal officials say Brown remained in China until early February 2026, when he returned to the United States.
 |
| U.S. fighter jets in formation |
Extensive Military Background
Brown served more than 24 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 1996 with the rank of Major. During his career, he reportedly commanded sensitive units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot and simulator instructor on multiple aircraft, including the F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and A-10 Thunderbolt II.
Following his military service, Brown worked as a commercial cargo pilot and later as a contract simulator instructor for defense contractors, training U.S. military pilots on aircraft such as the A-10 and F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.
Federal authorities emphasized the national security risks posed by U.S. military expertise being shared with foreign adversaries. Officials allege Brown’s experience and training were used to benefit the Chinese military’s aviation capabilities.
The arrest comes amid ongoing concerns that foreign governments are actively seeking to recruit current and former Western military personnel to bolster their own defense capabilities. A multinational intelligence bulletin issued in 2024 warned that China’s People’s Liberation Army continues targeting NATO and Western military veterans for their expertise.
Prosecutors allege Brown worked with intermediaries connected to Chinese national Stephen Su Bin, who pleaded guilty in 2016 to conspiring to hack U.S. defense contractors and steal export-controlled military data for China. Authorities say Su Bin and his company were placed on the U.S. Commerce Department’s Entity List in 2014.
The case is being prosecuted by attorneys with the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from the Southern District of Indiana.
Federal officials say the investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors evaluate additional evidence and potential charges.
Important Note: A criminal complaint is an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
_____
💬 See something we missed? If you spot an error or have additional information, please reach out: support@iskynews.com
© 2026 iSkyNews.com. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use, copying, or redistribution of this content is strictly prohibited.
0 Comments