Former US Air Force Pilot Arrested Over Alleged Training of Chinese Military Aviators
Justice Department says 65-year-old violated export controls by providing instruction without US approval
A former US Air Force pilot has been arrested on allegations that he trained Chinese military pilots without obtaining the required approval from US authorities, in what prosecutors describe as a potential national security breach.
The 65-year-old man was taken into custody in the state of Indiana, according to the United States Department of Justice. Officials allege that he violated US export control regulations, which require government authorization before providing military training or defense-related services to foreign armed forces.
In a statement, the Justice Department said the suspect had accumulated decades of experience flying US military aircraft and had also trained American pilots, including those operating advanced fighter platforms such as the F-35. Prosecutors allege he later provided similar training to Chinese military aviators without securing the necessary licenses.
The department accused the former pilot of having “betrayed his country” by allegedly helping Chinese personnel prepare for potential combat scenarios involving US forces. Training individuals considered adversaries of the United States, officials said, poses “a significant threat to national security.”
According to the statement, the suspect left active military service in 1996. During his Air Force career, he reportedly commanded units responsible for nuclear-capable delivery systems and served in instructional roles training US military pilots.
The indictment has not yet been made public, and details about the specific charges remain unclear. It is also not known what maximum sentence he could face if convicted.
The suspect is scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate judge on Thursday for an initial hearing. Authorities have not indicated whether additional individuals are under investigation in connection with the case.
The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny by US authorities over former Western military personnel allegedly working with Chinese entities in aviation and defense-related fields. In recent years, US and allied governments have warned that China has sought to recruit experienced military pilots to gain insight into Western tactics and technology.