Former US Air Force fighter pilot accused of secretly training Chinese military

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Khushboo RazdanFebruary 26, 2026 at 11:19 PM

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Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., a former US Air Force fighter pilot, was arrested in Jeffersonville, Indiana, after returning from China this month. The Department of Justice alleges Brown, who served in the Air Force for 24 years, trained pilots from China's People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) between 2023 and 2026 without authorization. He is charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) by providing defense services to the Chinese military. Brown, also known as "Runner," previously worked as a simulator instructor for US defense contractors, training American pilots on advanced aircraft like the A-10 and F-35. He is expected to appear in court in the Southern District of Indiana.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Southern District of Indiana 40% Jeffersonville, Indiana 50% International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 60% State Department 60% Arms Export Control Act (AECA) 60% People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) 70% China ×270% United States Air Force ×280% United States Department of Justice (DOJ) ×280% Gerald Eddie Brown Jr. (Runner) ×290%

Keywords

military training 90% chinese military 80% us air force 70% fighter pilot 70% defence services 60% arms export control act 60% people's liberation army air force 50% national security 40% itar 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative

Score: -0.40

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Source

South China Morning Post

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90%

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military training chinese military us air force fighter pilot defence services arms export control act people's liberation army air force national security itar

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