The US Justice Department has announced the arrest of a former US Air Force pilot accused of secretly providing military training to Chinese personnel without proper authorization. The case has raised serious concerns about national security and the protection of sensitive military knowledge.
Gerald Brown, 65, was taken into custody in Indiana shortly after returning from China, where he had reportedly been living since December 2023. According to officials, he is accused of conspiring with foreign nationals to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force without securing the mandatory license from the US State Department.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed the arrest, stating that Brown allegedly trained Chinese military pilots in advanced aircraft operations. Authorities say Brown previously enjoyed a distinguished 24 year career in the Air Force, during which he commanded sensitive units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor.
After retiring in 1996, Brown worked as a cargo pilot before later becoming a US defense contractor. In that role, he trained American pilots to operate the A 10 and the highly advanced F 35 fighter jets. Prosecutors allege that in August 2023 he began negotiating a contract with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national previously convicted in a US espionage case. Brown then reportedly traveled to China to begin the training assignment.
FBI officials have warned that the Chinese government actively seeks to exploit the expertise of former American military personnel to strengthen its military capabilities. They described the arrest as a clear signal that authorities will pursue anyone suspected of assisting foreign adversaries.
The case underscores ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing, particularly in areas involving military technology and strategic defense capabilities.
