Former US F-35 fighter pilot arrested for training Chinese air force
Al Jazeera
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A former US Air Force officer and elite F-35 fighter pilot, Gerald Brown, has been arrested on charges of betrayal after allegedly training Chinese military pilots in violation of US laws. Known for his extensive experience as a combat pilot and leader of sensitive units, Brown was accused by the FBI of conspiring to provide defense services to China without authorization. The arrest highlights concerns over Chinese efforts to recruit Western military expertise to modernize its armed forces.
Brown, 65, served in the Air Force for 24 years before leaving in 1996 and later working as a defense contractor training pilots on advanced US warplanes like the F-35. According to the Justice Department, Brown traveled to China in December 2023 to begin his work, which was facilitated by Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national with a history of espionage convictions. Brown’s alleged actions mirror those of Daniel Duggan, another former US Marine pilot who is currently fighting extradition to the US after being arrested in Australia for similar charges.
The case underscores growing tensions between the US and China over military collaboration. It also raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of former military personnel and the potential risks of sharing advanced defense knowledge with adversarial nations. US authorities have warned that such activities threaten national security and compromise international alliances.
This arrest is part of a broader pattern of Chinese efforts to acquire Western military expertise, as highlighted by recent warnings from US allies. The case of Brown, coupled with Duggan’s legal battle, demonstrates the high stakes involved in transferring sensitive knowledge and the potential for diplomatic fallout. As global powers navigate increasingly complex security landscapes, such incidents will likely continue to shape international relations and espionage concerns.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/26/2026