• Former US Air Force Major Gerald Brown arrested for training Chinese military pilots.
• Brown allegedly violated the Arms Export Control Act by providing unauthorized military training.
• He was in China from December 2023 until February 2026, where he provided training to PLA pilots.

Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., a former US Air Force officer and F-35 instructor, was arrested in Jeffersonville, Indiana, on February 26, 2026, for allegedly providing unauthorized military training to pilots in the Chinese military. The Department of Justice claims that Brown, 65, conspired to deliver defense services to Chinese military personnel without authorization, violating the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). His actions have been described as a significant betrayal of national trust, jeopardizing US national security, according to Al Jazeera and CBS News.

The US Justice Department stated that Brown had been negotiating terms for training Chinese pilots since at least August 2023 and traveled to China in December 2023 to begin this role. His contract involved interactions with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national previously convicted for espionage activities against the US. Brown is accused of spending his initial days in China answering questions about the US Air Force and providing a personal briefing to the Chinese military, inconsistently with his obligations, according to India Times and AA.

FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky remarked, "The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the US armed forces to modernize China’s military capabilities." He emphasized that the FBI will pursue those who breach US national security by collaborating with adversaries. The case against Brown echoes previous allegations against Daniel Duggan, a former US Marine Corps pilot, who is also facing prosecution for similar training violations, as reported by CBS News and India Times.

Brown's military background is extensive, with a 24-year career that included commanding sensitive nuclear units and leading combat missions. After retiring in 1996, he worked as a commercial pilot and later as a defense contractor, training US pilots for advanced aircraft like the F-35 and A-10. His alleged decision to train the Chinese military is viewed as a critical threat to the security of the US and its allies, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by espionage and unauthorized military cooperation, according to Al Jazeera and AA.