Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., 65, also known by his call sign “Runner,” was arrested in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and charged by criminal complaint for providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA).
Brown, a former United States Air Force Major, is expected to appear before a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana on Thursday (local time), according to federal prosecutors. The charges allege that Brown knowingly offered sensitive military instruction to foreign personnel without the authorization required under U.S. law, placing him at the center of a high-profile national security investigation.
Brown’s military career spanned more than 24 years, during which he served as an elite fighter pilot and instructor. He achieved the rank of Major before leaving active duty in 1996.
Throughout his service, he commanded sensitive units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems and piloted multiple aircraft, including the F-4 “Phantom II,” F-15 “Eagle,” F-16 “Fighting Falcon,” A-10 “Thunderbolt II,” and later, the F-35 Lightning II as an instructor.
Following his military career, Brown transitioned to a commercial cargo pilot role and subsequently worked as a contract simulator instructor, providing training for U.S. military pilots on the A-10 and F-35 aircraft, a position that underscored his extensive expertise in advanced military aviation and defense operations.
Federal prosecutors allege that beginning in August 2023, Brown conspired to provide combat aircraft training to pilots of the Chinese Air Force, a service classified as a defense activity under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
According to court filings, he lacked the required license from the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, making his actions illegal under U.S. law. Brown is accused of arranging the training using a co-conspirator to negotiate with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national who had previously pleaded guilty in 2016 to conspiring to hack major U.S. defense contractors and steal sensitive military information on behalf of the People’s Republic of China.
Brown reportedly traveled to China in December 2023 to begin training the pilots and remained there until early February 2026, when he returned to the United States.
U.S. officials emphasized the gravity of Brown’s alleged actions. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said, “The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defence of our Nation.
He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots.” Eisenberg further highlighted the legal and national security implications, stating, “When US 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.” His comments underscore the seriousness with which the U.S. Department of Justice views any unauthorized transfer of military expertise to foreign powers, particularly nations considered strategic competitors.
Echoing these concerns, Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division described Brown’s alleged actions as a profound betrayal of trust.
“The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the US armed forces to modernise 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 jeopardise our national security,” Rozhavsky said.
Officials highlighted Brown’s unique knowledge of advanced fighter operations and combat systems, which made the allegations particularly alarming to U.S. defense and intelligence authorities.
The charges against Brown follow a similar precedent involving former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan, who was charged in 2017 with providing defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization. Duggan was arrested in Australia in 2022 and is currently awaiting extradition to the United States.
Legal analysts have noted that such cases illustrate ongoing concerns over the illicit transfer of military expertise and the vulnerability of U.S. national security when former service members engage in unauthorized foreign training. In Brown’s case, authorities allege that his actions could have directly bolstered Chinese military aviation capabilities using knowledge intended to protect U.S. interests.
As the investigation progresses, Brown is scheduled to appear before a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana to respond to the charges. The Department of Justice and the FBI have pledged to pursue the case rigorously, with officials emphasizing accountability and national security protections.
All claims regarding the allegations have been formally filed in court documents, and the story remains under close monitoring by defense, intelligence, and law enforcement communities given its implications for U.S.-China military relations and the enforcement of the Arms Export Control Act.