INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A retired U.S. Air Force major and former elite fighter pilot instructor has been arrested on federal charges of illegally providing defense services to the Chinese military, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
The 65-year-old veteran, a U.S. citizen once known by the call sign “Runner,” was taken into custody in Indiana on February 18, 2026. He is accused of violating the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) by training pilots for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) without the mandatory authorization from the U.S. government.
A High-Level Breach of Expertise
The suspect’s military background is extensive, making the allegations particularly sensitive for national security officials. Over a 24-year career in the Air Force, he:
- Commanded sensitive units responsible for nuclear weapons delivery systems.
- Led numerous combat missions.
- Served as a primary instructor for the F-35 Lightning II, the world’s most advanced stealth fighter.
- Instructed pilots on various other airframes, including the F-15, F-16, and A-10 Thunderbolt II.
After retiring from active duty in 1996, he worked as a commercial cargo pilot and later as a civilian defense contractor, where he continued to train American pilots on F-35 simulators.
The Alleged Conspiracy
According to court documents, the defendant traveled to China in December 2023 and remained there until early February 2026. Federal prosecutors allege that upon his arrival, he spent hours answering detailed questions about U.S. Air Force operations and subsequently provided flight and simulator instruction to Chinese pilots.
The DOJ claims the contract was brokered by a Chinese national previously convicted in the U.S. for hacking defense contractors to steal secrets related to the F-35 and C-17 aircraft.
