Ex-US F-35 Instructor Arrested for Allegedly Training Chinese Military Pilots

A former US Air Force fighter pilot, Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., 65, has been arrested and charged with conspiring to provide military training to China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), US authorities said. Brown, who served 24 years in the US Air Force and retired as a major in 1996, allegedly trained Chinese pilots on advanced fighter jets, including the F-35 stealth fighter and the A-10 attack aircraft.

The arrest took place in Jeffersonville, Indiana, on Wednesday, with Brown facing violations of the Arms Export Control Act.

Military Career and Alleged Activities

During his military career, Brown commanded units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems, flew combat missions, and served as an instructor on multiple fighter jets ranging from the F-4 Phantom to modern F-16s and F-15s. Following retirement, he worked as a commercial cargo pilot and as a simulator instructor for US defense contractors, training pilots on the F-35 and A-10.

The Lockheed Martin F-35, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, is among the US’s most advanced aircraft, with around 600 in service and over 1,600 more on order across the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied nations.

According to prosecutors, Brown traveled to China in December 2023 and remained until February 2026, where he allegedly spent over two years training PLAAF pilots. On his first day, he reportedly answered extensive questions about the US Air Force and subsequently presented himself to Chinese military officials before conducting pilot training sessions.

National Security Concerns

FBI and US military officials warn that Brown’s actions could have exposed sensitive US military tactics, potentially threatening national security and the safety of US allies. Aviation analysts suggest China could have gained insights into nuclear delivery procedures, F-35 stealth tactics, and other critical operational strategies.

Peter Layton, aviation analyst and former Royal Australian Air Force officer, noted that while simulator instruction may have focused on basic flying skills, “even understanding basic techniques and an instructor’s instincts can reveal significant information about US combat strategies.”

Implications for US and Allied Defense

US allies participating in the F-35 program are likely to scrutinize the potential transfer of tactical knowledge to China. Experts highlight that even if Brown only provided fundamental flight training, the data could inform Chinese strategies for intercepting or countering US and allied aircraft.

Carl Schuster, former director of operations at the US Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, emphasized that the training could inadvertently reveal tactical insights from decades of US fighter operations.