Former Air Force pilot accused of illegally training Chinese pilots

A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who once trained American soldiers in advanced fighter jets including the F-35 has been arrested and charged with illegally training Chinese military pilots, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., call sign “Runner,” was detained in Jeffersonville, Ind., and charged with providing and conspiring to provide unauthorized defense services to Chinese military pilots.

Prosecutors allege Brown violated the Arms Export Control Act, a federal law that regulates the export of U.S. defense supplies, services and military technology and requires government approval before they are shared with foreign governments or citizens.

“The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and assigned him to the defense of our nation. He is currently assigned to train Chinese military pilots,” said Assistant Attorney General for Homeland Security John A. Eisenberg. “When U.S. persons, military or civilian, provide training to a foreign military, this activity is illegal unless they are licensed by the State Department.”

The Justice Department alleges that Brown “intentionally conspired” with foreign nationals and other U.S. persons “since at least August 2023” to provide fighter jet training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force, known as the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

Under federal export regulations, the training required State Department approval and Brown was not licensed to provide the training to a foreign military, prosecutors said.

Brown served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 24 years and left active duty in 1996 with the rank of major, according to the Justice Department.

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A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot has been charged with illegally training Chinese military pilots without State Department approval, Justice Department officials said. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Throughout his career, he commanded units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and worked as a fighter pilot and simulator instructor on aircraft such as the F-4, F-15, F-16, and A-10. After leaving the military, Brown worked as a commercial cargo pilot and later as a contract simulator instructor training U.S. pilots to fly the A-10 and F-35 Lightning II.

According to the complaint, Brown began negotiating a contract to train Chinese military pilots in or about August 2023, working through a co-conspirator with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national previously convicted in the United States of conspiring to infiltrate the computer networks of major American defense contractors and steal sensitive military data.

Prosecutors say Brown made clear in those discussions that he planned to train Chinese pilots in fighter jet operations. In a resume, he listed his goal as “Instructor Fighter Pilot” and later wrote upon his arrival in China: “Now….I have a chance to fly again and teach fighter pilots!”

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Saffrine Duggan speaks outside the Downing Center Court in Sydney on May 24, 2024, as her husband Daniel Edmund Duggan appears. Brown’s case follows similar accusations against Duggan, who is accused of providing unauthorized defense services to Chinese military pilots and is currently fighting extradition to the United States. (Rick Rycroft/AP Photo)

According to the complaint, Brown traveled to China in December 2023 to begin training Chinese military pilots and remained there until returning to the United States earlier this month.

Prosecutors allege that after arriving in China, Brown spent hours answering questions about the U.S. Air Force and later gave a presentation about himself to members of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.

“As an Air Force Officer, Brown swore an oath to defend our Nation against all enemies foreign and domestic, he broke that oath and betrayed the country by endangering the safety of our troops and allies,” said Jeanine Ferris Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. he said. “We will hold Brown and anyone who conspires against our nation accountable for their actions.”

Brown’s case follows similar charges against former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan, who is accused of providing unauthorized defense services to Chinese military pilots and is currently awaiting extradition to the United States.

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Prosecutors allege Duggan trained Chinese military pilots in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing procedures, skills considered highly sensitive to U.S. national defense. He is currently in Australia.

If convicted, Brown faces significant federal prison time under export control laws designed to prevent the transfer of U.S. military expertise to foreign adversaries.

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