DoJ: Former U.S. Air Force F-35 Instructor Pilot Arrested for Allegedly Training Chinese Military Pilots
Beyond the F-35, Brown’s 24-plus-year career included command of units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems, where he oversaw sensitive operations
UNITED STATES — Federal authorities arrested Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., 65, a former U.S. Air Force major and F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot known by the call sign “Runner,” on February 25 in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Brown faces charges for providing and conspiring to provide defense services to pilots in China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force without required State Department authorization, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
As 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.”
The case centers on allegations that Brown, beginning in or around August 2023, arranged terms for a contract to deliver combat aircraft training to Chinese pilots. He traveled to China in December 2023, conducted training sessions, and remained there until returning to the United States in early February.
