Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., a 65-year-old former U.S. Air Force Major known by his call sign “Runner,” was arrested on February 26, 2026, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act by allegedly conspiring to provide unauthorized defense services—specifically combat aircraft training—to pilots in China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). With over 24 years of service until leaving active duty in 1996, Brown had extensive experience as a fighter pilot and instructor on aircraft including the F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and A-10 Thunderbolt II, and he commanded units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems while leading combat missions. After his military career, he worked as a commercial cargo pilot and later as a contract simulator instructor for U.S. defense contractors, training American pilots on the A-10 and the advanced F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. According to the Department of Justice, Brown began conspiring around August 2023 to deliver this prohibited training, traveling to China in December 2023 and remaining there for over two years before returning recently; officials described the actions as a betrayal, with an FBI official stating he allegedly trained Chinese pilots “to fight against those he swore to protect,” highlighting concerns over China’s exploitation of former U.S. military expertise to enhance its capabilities.

Read more: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-us-air-force-pilot-arrested-providing-defense-services-chinese-military

justice.gov

Former U.S. Air Force Pilot Arrested for Providing Defense Services to the Chinese Military

Former U.S. Air Force officer and pilot Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., also known by the call sign “Runner,” 65, a U.S. citizen, was arrested today in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Brown was charged by criminal complaint for providing and conspiring to provide … Continue reading