Ex-US Air Force major arrested for training Chinese military pilots

A former US Air Force major has been arrested for allegedly training Chinese military pilots. Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr, 65, was taken into custody in Jeffersonville, Indiana, after working in China for nearly two years. Authorities accuse him of violating US law by sharing expertise with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

Brown moved to China around 2022 to work as an 'instructor fighter pilot'. His role marked him as the first US citizen to return to American soil since leaving for China. During his military career, he had commanded airborne units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems. He also instructed US troops on advanced aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II and at least four other fighter jets.

The charges against Brown include conspiring to train Chinese troops, a violation of the Arms Export Control Act. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and fines totalling $1 million per offence. Investigators claim his training exposed sensitive military tactics, posing risks to US security and allied forces. However, no specific details about the skills he taught have been publicly disclosed.

This case follows a similar incident in 2017, when former US Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan was charged for training Chinese pilots in aircraft carrier operations. Both men reportedly had ties to Stephen Su Bin, a convicted arms trafficker who sold US military secrets to China in 2016.

The FBI has emphasised that anyone collaborating with adversaries to undermine national security will be held accountable under the law.

Brown's arrest highlights ongoing concerns about the transfer of military knowledge to foreign powers. The case will proceed through the US legal system, with potential penalties including decades in prison. Authorities continue to monitor similar threats to prevent further breaches of national security.