Gerald Brown Jailed: Former F-35 Pilot Arrested for Training Chinese Military Pilots
Feb. 26, 2026 — Jeffersonville, Indiana Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., a 65-year-old former U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot, on February 25 for allegedly conspiring to provide unauthorized defense services to pilots of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force, violating the Arms Export Control Act.
Brown, whose call sign was “Runner,” had an initial court appearance scheduled the same day in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The arrest has sparked widespread coverage under phrases like “Gerald Brown jailed,” highlighting national security concerns.
Gerald Brown Jailed: Charges and Allegations
According to the U.S. Department of Justice criminal complaint, Brown began negotiating the training arrangement in August 2023 through a co-conspirator linked to Stephen Su Bin, who was convicted in 2016 for hacking U.S. defense contractors and sentenced to nearly four years in prison. Brown traveled to China in December 2023 and provided combat aircraft training to PLAAF pilots before recently returning to the U.S.
If convicted, Brown faces significant prison time. The case underscores risks of unauthorized technology transfer amid China’s military buildup.
“The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.
Gerald Brown Jailed: Background and Investigation
Brown served 24 years in the Air Force, including combat missions and command of a nuclear unit. He was an experienced F-35 instructor with decades flying U.S. military aircraft. The investigation involved FBI field offices in New York, Louisville, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles, with support from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Local outlet WLKY reported on the arrest in Jeffersonville, quoting FBI Special Agent in Charge Roman Rozhavsky: the actions allegedly betrayed U.S. trust.
Gerald Brown Jailed: International Reaction
International media framed the incident as a betrayal. Al Jazeera compared it to cases like ex-Marine Daniel Duggan. Coverage in Times of India and others highlighted espionage risks.
Brown remains in federal custody pending proceedings, fueling online discussions around “Gerald Brown jailed.”
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