02/26/2026, 07:1402/26/2026, 07:14
The US justice system accuses an experienced former fighter pilot of having trained Chinese military pilots without authorization. The Justice Department announced that 65-year-old Gerald B., who, among other things, trained pilots for the use of the modern F-35 stealth fighter jet in the USA, was arrested in the state of Indiana.
The long-time soldier retired from the US military in 1996. (symbol image)Image: keystone
The elite fighter pilot violated arms export control regulations, according to which approval from the US State Department is required for training members of foreign armed forces, it was said.
The defendant had decades of experience as a pilot of US military aircraft and “allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he was sworn to protect,” said the Justice Department. Training enemies of the United States represents “a significant threat to national security.”
The long-time soldier retired from the US military in 1996. During his career in the Air Force, he commanded, among other things, units that were responsible for delivery systems for nuclear weapons. He also trained US military pilots. As a civilian, he flew cargo planes and trained pilots for US defense companies, among other things.
The accused is scheduled to appear before a judge in Indiana today. The ministry did not initially publish the charges, so it was unclear what maximum punishment he could face. (sda/dpa)
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