A former U.S. Air Force officer and fighter pilot has been arrested and charged with conspiring to provide unauthorized military training to Chinese personnel, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The individual, identified as Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., 65, was taken into custody in Indiana. Prosecutors allege that Brown, who previously served as an instructor on advanced aircraft including the F‑35 stealth fighter, conspired to deliver defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization. The charges were filed under the Arms Export Control Act, which restricts the transfer of sensitive defense knowledge and technology.
Authorities say Brown’s experience included decades of work with nuclear delivery systems and advanced fighter aircraft. He is accused of using that expertise to assist Chinese military aviation programs, a move prosecutors argue could compromise U.S. national security.
Supporters of the investigation have described the arrest as a necessary step to safeguard sensitive defense technology. Critics, however, have raised questions about how former military personnel are monitored after retirement, suggesting that stronger oversight may be needed to prevent similar cases.
Brown is expected to make his first court appearance in the Southern District of Indiana. If convicted, he could face significant penalties under U.S. export control laws.
The case underscores growing international concerns about the transfer of military expertise across borders and highlights the ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing over defense and security issues.
