Breaking News: Former Air Force Officer Arrested for Training Chinese Military Pilots
The U.S. Department of Justice has arrested former Air Force Major Gerald Brown for allegedly providing unauthorized training to Chinese military pilots. Brown, 65, was taken into custody on Wednesday in Indiana.
Brown, known by his pilot’s call sign “Runner,” is accused of conspiring to offer defense services to Chinese pilots. He had a 24-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as an F-35 instructor and led sensitive combat missions.
According to officials, Brown traveled to China in December 2023 to begin training the pilots and remained there until early February 2026. His contract was reportedly negotiated by Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national previously convicted for hacking a U.S. defense contractor.
The FBI stated that this case serves as a warning against exploiting U.S. military expertise. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro emphasized that those conspiring against the nation will be held accountable.
Brown faces serious charges, similar to those against former Marine Corps pilot Daniel Duggan, who is currently fighting extradition from Australia for similar offenses.
