A former U.S. Air Force officer and fighter pilot was arrested Wednesday, according to a Department of Justice press release issued February 25.
Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., 65, a retired Air Force major known by the call sign “Runner,” was arrested in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Brown faces charges under the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) for allegedly conspiring to provide defense services to pilots in China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
Brown is scheduled to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana on February 26.
“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,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “When U.S. persons – whether military or civilian – provide training to a foreign military, that activity is illegal unless they have a license from the State Department. The National Security Division will use all tools at its disposal to protect our military advantages and hold to account those who would violate the AECA.”
Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division said Brown allegedly used his military experience to assist China.
“Gerald Brown, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot with decades of experience flying U.S. military aircraft, allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect,” Rozhavsky said. “The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the U.S. armed forces to modernize China’s military capabilities. This arrest serves as 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.”
According to the criminal complaint, Brown allegedly began arranging a contract in August 2023 to train Chinese military pilots. Prosecutors allege he worked through intermediaries to negotiate terms and later traveled to China in December 2023 to begin providing instruction.
Federal authorities allege Brown remained in China until returning to the United States in early February 2026.
The complaint states Brown lacked the required license from the U.S. State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls to provide defense services under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia said prosecutors intend to pursue accountability.
“As an Air Force Officer, Brown took an oath to defend our Nation against all enemies foreign and domestic, he broke that oath, and betrayed the country, jeopardizing the safety of our servicemembers and allies,” Pirro said. “We will hold Brown, and anyone conspiring against our Nation, accountable for their actions. The Department of Justice and my prosecutors are steadfast in our commitment to use every lawful tool available to keep American military expertise where it belongs – here in America.”
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, federal authorities in July 2025 charged two Chinese nationals with allegedly attempting to recruit U.S. Navy personnel as intelligence assets, part of broader efforts by the People’s Republic of China to obtain U.S. military expertise.
The FBI’s New York Field Office is leading the investigation, with assistance from field offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations also provided assistance.
An indictment or criminal complaint contains allegations. Brown is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.