The U.S. Justice Department has arrested Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., a former U.S. Air Force officer and pilot, on charges that he provided and conspired to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA).

Brown, also known by the call sign “Runner,” was arrested in Jeffersonville, Indiana. According to the Justice Department, Brown is expected to appear before a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana on February 26, 2026.

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.” Eisenberg added: “When U.S. persons – whether military or civilian – provide training to a foreign military, that activity is illegal unless they have a license from the State Department. The National Security Division will use all tools at its disposal to protect our military advantages and hold to account those who would violate the AECA.”

FBI Director Kash Patel described the arrest as a “major story,” saying: “The FBI and our partners have arrested a former U.S. Air Force Pilot who was allegedly training pilots in the Chinese military.”

The Justice Department further stated that since at least August 2023, Brown conspired with foreign nationals and U.S. persons to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). This activity violated the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), as Brown—a U.S. person under ITAR—lacked a required license from the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) to train foreign military units.

Brown served over 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1996 with the rank of Major. During his career, he commanded sensitive units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on aircraft including the F-4 “Phantom II,” F-15 “Eagle,” F-16 “Fighting Falcon,” and A-10 “Thunderbolt II.” He later worked as a commercial cargo pilot and contract simulator instructor for U.S. defense contractors training pilots on the A-10 and F-35 Lightning II.

Brown began arranging contracts to train Chinese pilots in August 2023 using a co-conspirator who negotiated with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national previously convicted of conspiring to hack into U.S. defense contractor networks. Su Bin was sentenced to nearly four years in prison and added to the U.S. Entity List in 2014. Brown’s resume listed his objective as “Instructor Fighter Pilot,” and he stated: “Now…. I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again!”

In December 2023, Brown traveled to China to begin training. He spent his first day answering questions about the U.S. Air Force and prepared a brief about himself for the PLAAF on his second day. Brown remained in China until returning to the United States in early February 2026.

Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division stated: “Gerald Brown, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot with decades of experience flying U.S. military aircraft, allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect.” Rozhavsky added: “The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the U.S. armed forces to modernize China’s military capabilities. This arrest serves as a warning that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to hold accountable anyone who collaborates with our adversaries to harm our service members and jeopardize our national security.”

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia stated: “As an Air Force Officer, Brown took an oath to defend our Nation against all enemies foreign and domestic, he broke that oath, and betrayed the country, jeopardizing the safety of our servicemembers and allies.” Pirro concluded: “We will hold Brown, and anyone conspiring against our Nation, accountable for their actions. The Department of Justice and my prosecutors are steadfast in our commitment to use every lawful tool available to keep American military expertise where it belongs – here in America.”