미공군 퇴역 F-35 조종사가 중국군에 F-35 관련 브리핑 혐의

[위종민]

퇴역한 미공군 F-35 조종사가 2024년 7월~8월경에 중국군에 전자전과 F-35 관련 발표를 했다고 합니다. 1996년 소령 계급으로 퇴역하고, 시뮬레이터 교관으로 근무하면서 A-10과 F-35 조종사 훈련을 담당했었다고 하네요. 2023년 8월부터 중국군과 훈련 계약을 준비했고, 2년간 중국에 체류하며 중국 정보기관과 15~20차례 회의를 했고, 2024년에 일시 귀국할 땐 PC에 '모든 것을 다운로드할 수 있는' 프로그램을 설치했다고 합니다 ㄷㄷㄷ 

중국 외에도 한국에도 방문했었고 2026년 2월에도 중국에서 한국을 거쳐 미국으로 갔었네요. 다만 2020년 4월부터 2022년 4월까지 오산공군기지에서 계약직 시뮬레이터 교관으로 근무하다 성희롱으로 해고됐다고 하니 한국 공군이 이 사람에게 기밀을 빼내려고 한 건 아닌 것 같습니다만... 어떨지. 

전 미 공군 조종사, 중국군에 F-35·전자전 관련 브리핑 혐의
작성자
Clement Charpentreau
10시간 전
국방
Lockheed Martin F 35 canopy
Flight Video and Photo / Shutterstock.com

중국군 조종사들을 불법적으로 훈련시킨 혐의를 받는 전직 미 공군 전투기 조종사가 2024년 7월 또는 8월경 베이징 군사 회의에서 미 공군 구조, 전자전 역사, F-35 플랫폼에 대한 발표를 했다고 최근 공개된 연방 법원 문서의 증언 내용이 밝혔다.

Task and Purpose가 처음 주목한 이번 새로운 내용은 2026년 2월 25일 인디애나주 제퍼슨빌에서 체포된 65세 Gerald Eddie Brown Jr.에 대한 사건에 구체성을 더하고 있다. 그는 중국군 조종사들에게 승인되지 않은 방위 서비스를 제공하고 이를 공모한 혐의로 형사 고발되었다.

미 법무부는 전 미 공군 소령이자 전투기 교관이었던 Brown이 무기수출통제법과 국제무기거래규정에 따른 필요한 승인 없이 중국 인민해방군 공군(PLAAF)에 전투기 훈련을 제공했다고 주장하고 있다. 법무부는 Brown이 국무부 국방무역통제국의 필수 허가를 받지 않았다고 밝혔다. 

전 미 공군 F 35 조종사 이륙 준비 중

관련 기사
전 미 공군 조종사, 중국 공군 훈련 혐의로 체포

법원 문서가 설명하는 베이징 브리핑 혐의

2026년 2월 24일 제출된 형사 고발장에 따르면 Brown은 24년 이상 미 공군에서 복무한 뒤 1996년 소령 계급으로 현역을 떠났다. 그의 경력에는 전투 임무, 핵무기 운반 체계와 관련된 민감 부대 지휘, 그리고 F-4 팬텀 II, F-15 이글, F-16 파이팅 팰컨, A-10 썬더볼트 II 교관 역할이 포함되어 있었다. 이후 그는 계약직 시뮬레이터 교관으로 근무하며 A-10과 F-35 라이트닝 II 조종사 훈련을 담당했다.

법무부는 Brown이 2023년 8월부터 중국군 조종사 훈련 계약을 준비하기 시작했다고 주장했다. 이 과정에는 Stephen Su Bin과 협상한 공범이 포함되어 있었는데, Su Bin은 과거 미국 주요 방산업체 해킹 공모와 중국을 위한 민감 군사·수출 통제 자료 절취 혐의로 미국에서 유죄 판결을 받은 중국 국적자다.

현재까지 공개된 내용 중 Brown이 무엇을 가르쳤는지에 대한 가장 구체적인 설명은 중국에서 그와 함께 일했던 전 모로코 공군 조종사에 대한 FBI 면담에서 나왔다. 2026년 3월 24일 제출된 정부 측 석방 취소 요청서에 따르면, 익명의 증인은 Brown이 베이징 회의 발표를 진행했으며, Brown이 Su Bin 밑에서 일하는 것이 “큰 문제”라는 점과 이후 미국으로 돌아오지 못할 수도 있다는 점을 알고 있었다고 FBI에 말했다. Brown은 F-35 실기 비행 권한은 없었지만, 2023년 11월 해고될 때까지 애리조나주 루크 공군기지에서 록히드 마틴 계약 교관으로 F-35 시뮬레이터 교육을 담당했다.

2026년 2월 25일과 26일 자발적으로 진행된 FBI 면담에서 Brown 본인도 인민해방군 공군에 브리핑을 제공했으며, 중국 체류 2년 이상 동안 중국 정보기관과 약 15~20차례 회의를 가졌다고 인정했다고 2026년 3월 19일 제출된 구속 요청서에 적혀 있다. 그는 자신의 주요 접촉 인물인 Su Bin을 중국 고위 정보 관계자로 인식했다고 FBI에 말했다.

항공모함 갑판 위의 두 대의 라팔 전투기

관련 기사
전 프랑스 해군 조종사, 중국과의 정보 공유 혐의 조사

한국 방문도 조사 대상

구속 요청서는 Brown이 중국 거주 중 한국을 두 차례 방문했다고 밝히고 있으며, 두 번째 방문은 2026년 2월 미국 귀환 경로 일부였다. Brown의 한국과의 기존 연관성은 상당했다. 형사 고발장에 따르면 그는 2020년 4월부터 2022년 4월까 Delaware Resource Group의 계약 시뮬레이터 교관 조종사로 일하며 A-10과 F-16 시뮬레이터 훈련을 제공했고, 주요 근무지는 오산 공군기지였다. 그는 태평양공군 Ready Aircrew Program을 지원했다. 이후 성희롱 혐의에 대한 지휘 조사 뒤 2022년 4월 해고되었다.

첫 번째 귀국 방문은 2024년에 이루어졌다. Brown은 FBI에 그 방문 후 중국으로 돌아왔을 때 중국 정보기관 관계자들이 자신을 만나 컴퓨터에 “모든 것을 다운로드”할 수 있는 소프트웨어를 설치했다고 인정했다고 검찰은 밝혔다. 해당 컴퓨터에 어떤 자료가 있었는지는 명시되지 않았다.

검찰은 또한 2025년 10월과 12월 Brown과 한국 주둔 미 공군 장교 겸 조종사 사이의 WhatsApp 메시지를 제시했다. 이 대화에서 Brown은 은퇴 계획을 논의하며 2026년 2월 한국 방문 계획을 잠정적으로 세웠다.

연방 검찰은 Brown이 암호화 통신을 사용했고 미국 당국이 중국 관련 조종사 모집 네트워크를 감시하고 있다는 점을 인식하고 있었던 것으로 보인다고도 주장했다. 형사 고발장에 따르면, 중국에서 일하던 전 에콰도르 공군 조종사는 2024년 1월 FBI 접촉 이후 Brown에게 Threema와 WeChat 메시지를 삭제하라고 권유했다. 검찰은 또한 Brown이 몇 년 더 프로그램을 계속 운영한 뒤 중국, 태국 또는 베트남에서 은퇴하는 방안을 논의한 암호화 메시지도 제시했다.

보석 공방은 자산과 도주 위험이 핵심

검찰은 Brown이 Su Bin의 인민해방군 공군 훈련 업체 Stratos Aviation에서 일하며 연간 약 25만 달러를 벌었다고 추산했다. 2024년 기준 그는 중국공상은행 계좌에 최대 20만 달러를 보유하고 있었고, 태국 방콕은행에도 소규모 예금을 갖고 있었다. 2026년 2월 3일 미국 귀국 후 Brown은 렌터카를 몰고 인디애나에서 노스캐롤라이나 샬럿까지 이동해 현금 1만7천 달러로 마쓰다 미아타 컨버터블 차량을 구매했다.

체포 당일 아침 수사관들이 그의 집을 수색했을 때, 하단에 가짜라고 표시된 장난감 미국 여권과 모조 미국 달러 및 중국 위안화 지폐가 발견되었다. 변호인 측은 2026년 3월 23일 제출한 반박 서류에서 해당 여권이 명백히 가짜로 표시되어 있으며(법원 문서 사진에는 “FAKE<ID<GENERATOR<FOR<ANDROID”라고 적혀 있음), 모조 화폐는 청명절 같은 명절에 태우는 중국 의례용 “지전(joss paper)”이라고 주장했다.

Zia Faruqui 치안판사는 2026년 3월 23일 Brown을 누나를 제3자 감독인으로 하는 24시간 가택연금 조건으로 석방하라고 명령했다. 정부는 다음 날 해외 자산, 아시아 은퇴 의도, 중국 정보기관 접촉 사실을 근거로 구속 유지를 다시 요구했지만, 이후 Brown은 20만 달러 보석금과 GPS 및 영상 감시 조건 아래 미네소타에 있는 누나 집에서 가택연금 상태로 석방되었다.

더 광범위한 모집 우려의 일부

Brown 사건은 중국의 항공 역량 개발을 도왔다는 혐의를 받는 전직 서방 군 조종사들과 관련된 미국 및 동맹국의 다른 조치들에 뒤이어 발생했다.

법무부는 Brown 사건을 전 미 해병대 조종사 Daniel Edmund Duggan 사건과 직접 연결했다. Duggan은 2017년 승인 없이 중국군 조종사들에게 방위 서비스를 제공하고 이를 공모한 혐의로 기소되었다. 그는 2022년 호주에서 체포되었으며 현재 송환 절차가 진행 중이다.

미국 당국은 이러한 활동을 지원한 네트워크들도 겨냥하고 있다. 2026년 1월 법무부는 남아프리카에서 중국으로 운송 중이던 대잠전 임무 승무원 훈련 장비 두 대에 대해 민사 몰수 소송을 제기했으며, 이는 NATO 항공 전문성을 중국군으로 이전하려는 더 광범위한 노력의 일부라고 주장했다.

Ex-USAF pilot allegedly gave F-35 briefing in China

Ex-USAF pilot allegedly gave F-35 briefing in China

Ex-USAF pilot allegedly briefed Chinese military on F-35, electronic warfare

ByClement Charpentreau

10 hours ago

Defense

Flight Video and Photo / Shutterstock.com

A retired US Air Force fighter pilot accused of illegally training Chinese military aviators delivered a presentation at a Beijing military conference in or around July or August 2024 on the structure of the US Air Force, the history of electronic warfare, and the F-35 platform, according to a witness account in newly available federal court filings. 

The new details, first highlighted by Task and Purpose, add substance to the case against Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., 65, who was arrested in Jeffersonville, Indiana, on February 25, 2026, and charged by criminal complaint with providing and conspiring to provide unauthorized defense services to Chinese military pilots. 

The US Department of Justice alleges that Brown, a former US Air Force major and fighter pilot instructor, provided combat aircraft training to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) without the required authorization under the Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations. The DOJ said Brown lacked the necessary license from the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. 

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RELATEDFormer US Air Force pilot arrested over allegedly training China’s PLAAF

Court filings describe alleged Beijing briefing 

According to the criminal complaint filed February 24, 2026, Brown served more than 24 years in the US Air Force before leaving active duty in 1996 as a major. His career included combat missions, command of sensitive units associated with nuclear weapons delivery systems, and instructor roles on aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and A-10 Thunderbolt II. He later worked as a contractor simulator instructor, training US military pilots on the A-10 and F-35 Lightning II. 

The DOJ originally alleged that Brown began arranging a contract in August 2023 to train Chinese military pilots through a co-conspirator who negotiated with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national previously convicted in the United States for conspiring to hack major US defense contractors and steal sensitive military and export-controlled data for China. 

The most specific public account so far of what Brown is alleged to have taught comes from an FBI interview with a former pilot in the Royal Moroccan Air Force who had worked alongside him in China. According to the government’s motion to overturn his release order filed on March 24, 2026, the unnamed witness told the FBI that Brown delivered the Beijing conference presentation, and that Brown was aware that working for Su Bin was “a big deal” and that he might not be able to return to the United States afterward. Brown was not authorized to fly the F-35 operationally, but had worked as a Lockheed Martin contract instructor on the F-35 simulator at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona until his termination in November 2023. 

In voluntary FBI interviews on February 25 and 26, 2026, Brown himself acknowledged providing briefings to the PLAAF and holding approximately 15 to 20 meetings with Chinese intelligence services during his more than two years in China, according to the government’s detention motion filed on March 19, 2026. He told the FBI he viewed his primary contact, Su Bin, as a senior Chinese intelligence figure. 

RELATEDEx-French Navy pilot investigated for alleged intelligence sharing with China

South Korea trips come under scrutiny 

The detention motion identifies two visits Brown made to South Korea while based in China, with the second forming part of his return route to the United States in February 2026. Brown’s pre-existing connection to South Korea was substantial: from April 2020 to April 2022, per the criminal complaint, he worked as a contract simulator instructor pilot for the Delaware Resource Group, providing A-10 and F-16 simulator training, with his principal posting at Osan Air Base supporting the Pacific Air Forces Ready Aircrew Program. He was terminated by DRG in April 2022 following a command inquiry into sexual harassment allegations. 

His first return trip took place in 2024. Brown admitted to the FBI that following his return to China from that trip, Chinese intelligence officers met with him and installed software on his computer to download “everything,” prosecutors wrote. The motion does not specify what was on the computer.  

Prosecutors also cite WhatsApp messages from October and December 2025 between Brown and a US Air Force officer and pilot stationed in South Korea, in which Brown discussed his retirement plans and tentatively planned a return to Korea in February 2026.  

Federal prosecutors also pointed to Brown’s use of encrypted communications and his apparent awareness that US authorities were monitoring China-linked pilot recruitment networks. According to the criminal complaint, a former Ecuadorian Air Force pilot working in China urged Brown in January 2024 to delete messages between them on Threema and WeChat after being contacted by the FBI. Prosecutors also cited encrypted messages in which Brown discussed continuing the program for several years before retiring in China, Thailand, or Vietnam. 

Bail fight centers on assets, travel risk 

Prosecutors estimate Brown earned approximately $250,000 annually working for Stratos Aviation, Su Bin’s PLAAF training company. As of 2024, he held an account at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China containing up to $200,000, plus a smaller balance at Bangkok Bank in Thailand. After his February 3, 2026, return to the United States, Brown drove from Indiana to Charlotte, North Carolina, in a rental car to buy a Mazda Miata convertible for $17,000 in cash.  

When agents searched his home on the morning of his arrest, they recovered a novelty US passport with a footer identifying it as fake, along with imitation US dollar and Chinese yuan notes. The defense, in its opposition filed on March 23, 2026, said that the passport is plainly labeled as fake (a picture in the court filing shows the passport labeled “FAKE<ID<GENERATOR<FOR<ANDROID”) and that the imitation currency is Chinese ceremonial “joss paper”, a burnt offering used during holidays such as Tomb Sweeping Day. 

Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui ordered Brown to be released on March 23, 2026, on conditions including 24/7 home detention with his older sister as third-party custodian. Although the government renewed its push to keep Brown detained the following day, citing his foreign assets, his stated intent to retire in Asia, and his admitted contacts with Chinese intelligence, Brown was later released on a $200,000 bond and placed under house arrest with GPS and video surveillance at his sister’s home in Minnesota. 

Part of a wider recruitment concern 

Brown’s case follows other US and allied actions involving former Western military aviators accused of helping China develop aviation expertise. 

The DOJ explicitly linked Brown’s prosecution to the case of former US Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan, who was charged in 2017 with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization. Duggan was arrested in Australia in 2022 and remains in extradition proceedings. 

US authorities have also targeted alleged enabling networks. In January 2026, the DOJ filed a civil forfeiture action against two anti-submarine warfare mission crew trainers that were allegedly being shipped from South Africa to China, alleging they were part of a broader effort to transfer NATO aviation expertise to the Chinese military.