Former US F-35 instructor accused of providing tactical training to Chinese military

A former F-35 Lightning II instructor described as an elite fighter pilot with decades of experience flying US military aircraft has been accused of conspiring to help the Chinese military.

Major (Ret'd) Gerald Brown Jr, 65, was arrested in Indiana and charged with providing defence services to Chinese pilots without authorisation, according to the US Department of Justice.

"Providing US military training to our adversaries represents a significant threat to national security", said Lee M Russ, executive director of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Office of Special Projects.

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Maj Brown, once known by his pilot’s call sign "Runner", served 24 years in the US Air Force where he led combat missions and commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems.

He then served as an instructor for simulators and fighter pilots, training on the F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II. 

After retiring from active duty in 1996, Mr Brown flew commercial cargo aircraft before joining two US defence contractors to train US military pilots on flying the A-10 and the F-35.

Maj Brown is accused of using a co-conspirator Stephen Su Bin to negotiate a contract to train military pilots for the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

According to the US Department of Justice, throughout negotiations, he "consistently stated his intent to train PRC military pilots in combat aircraft operations".  

When he arrived in China in December 2023, he wrote a message to Mr Su Bin saying: "Now…. I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again!"

Maj Brown remained in China until he traveled back to the US in early February 2026.

"The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defence of our Nation," said assistant attorney general for national security John A Eisenberg. 

"He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots.

"When US persons – whether military or civilian – provide training to a foreign military, that activity is illegal unless they have a licence 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 [Arms Export Control Act]."