Former US Air Force fighter pilot accused of secretly training Chinese military

South China Morning Post · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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A former fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, once entrusted with flying some of America’s most advanced combat aircraft, has been arrested for allegedly training pilots from China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) without authorisation, the US Department of Justice said.In a press release on Wednesday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that 65-year-old Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., also known by his call sign “Runner”, was taken into custody in Jeffersonville, Indiana, shortly after returning from China this month. According to a press release issued on Wednesday, Brown spent three years in China from 2023 to 2026.He was expected to make his initial court appearance in the Southern District of Indiana on Thursday.He faces charges of providing and conspiring to provide defence services to Chinese military pilots without the required authorisation from the State Department, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).Brown, a US citizen, served more than 24 years in the Air Force until 1996, reaching the rank of Major. He commanded units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems and led combat missions.China’s J-10C fighter jet showcased at Singapore AirshowChina’s J-10C fighter jet showcased at Singapore AirshowMore recently, he worked as a contract simulator instructor for US defence contractors, training American pilots on the A-10 and F-35.

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