Sometimes the enemies aren’t from other countries. They are often from within.
And now an elite U.S. military member was arrested for treasonous acts.
A former elite U.S. Air Force fighter pilot has been arrested on federal charges for allegedly providing unauthorized training to Chinese military pilots, raising fresh concerns about national security vulnerabilities and foreign recruitment of American military expertise.
Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., 65, a retired Air Force officer known by the call sign “Runner,” was taken into custody in Jeffersonville, Indiana, on February 25, 2026. He faces accusations of conspiring to and providing defense services to pilots in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) without the required State Department license, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA).
Veteran Pilot’s Extensive Background and Alleged Activities
Brown served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force as a combat pilot and instructor, flying and teaching on advanced aircraft including the A-10 Warthog, F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35 Lightning II. He led combat missions, commanded units handling nuclear weapons delivery systems, and was entrusted with sensitive responsibilities defending the nation.
According to the Justice Department complaint, Brown began conspiring around August 2023 with foreign nationals and U.S. persons to deliver combat aircraft training to PLAAF pilots. Prosecutors allege he negotiated a contract through a Chinese national, Stephen Su Bin—previously convicted for conspiring to steal U.S. military data from defense contractors and whose company was flagged as linked to the Chinese government.
Brown reportedly traveled to China in December 2023, where he spent over two years conducting the training. In one alleged message to a co-conspirator upon arrival, he wrote: “Now…. I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again!”
He returned to the U.S. in early February 2026, shortly before his arrest. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance in the Southern District of Indiana.
Strong Official Condemnation and National Security Warnings
Federal officials described the case as a serious betrayal. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John 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.”
Eisenberg emphasized: “When US persons – whether military or civilian – provide training to a foreign military, that activity is illegal unless they have a license from the State Department.” He added that the National Security Division would use “all tools at its disposal” to protect U.S. military advantages.
FBI Counterintelligence and Espionage Division Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky said: “Gerald Brown, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot with decades of experience flying US military aircraft, allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect.”
Rozhavsky noted: “The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the US armed forces to modernize China’s military capabilities.”
He called the arrest “a warning that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to hold accountable anyone who collaborates with our adversaries to harm our service members and jeopardize our national security.”
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro added: “Gerald Brown… betrayed the country” and “jeopardized the safety of our servicemembers and allies.” She affirmed: “We will hold Brown, and anyone conspiring against our Nation, accountable for their actions,” and stressed the DOJ’s commitment to keeping American military expertise domestic.
Broader Context of Foreign Recruitment Efforts
The charges align with longstanding U.S. concerns about China’s targeted recruitment of American veterans and active-duty personnel to bridge gaps in PLA capabilities. A 2023 memo from former Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. warned of “insidious” Chinese efforts using lucrative job offers to access U.S. know-how.
Officials view such cases as part of Beijing’s push to modernize its forces, with this incident highlighting risks from retired experts sharing sensitive operational knowledge without oversight. The case remains in its early stages, with Brown presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
