Former Harrier Pilot Arrested for Tricking U.S. Into Selling Jet to China

Australian Federal Police arrested Daniel Edmund Duggan, 54, on Oct. 21, 2022 in the rural town of Orange in New South Wales. He was denied bail and taken to the nearby Bathurst jail.

Duggan is a former US citizen and the United States is reportedly working with the Australian government with formal extradition proceedings. Under Australia’s extradition treaty with the US, the US government will have 60 days to make an extradition request. The treaty allows Australian citizens to be extradited.

After a decade of flying as a Harrier pilot in the US Marine Corps Duggan moved to Australia and started a business called Top Gun Tasmania, hiring former US and British military pilots to offer tourists joyrides in fighter jets.
He also flew ex-military aircraft in Australian air shows.

He moved to Beijing in 2014 and soon after sold Top Gun Tasmania.
Starting in 2017 Duggan worked in Qingdao, China, as the managing director of AVIBIZ Limited, which was described as “a comprehensive aviation consultancy company with a focus on the fast-growing and dynamic Chinese Aviation Industry”.

Hong Kong company records show AVIBIZ Limited was registered there by Duggan, who held an Australian passport in 2017 and dissolved in 2020.

The indictment against Duggan, which was originally drawn up in 2017, was recently unsealed. The details of the indictment and were made public by several news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal.

The indictment said the naturalized Australian “provided military training to (PRC) People’s Republic of China pilots” through a “test flying academy” in South Africa between 2010 and 2012. This is the same organization I mentioned in the previous episode that China has been using to recruit veteran western military pilots. This company has no official connection to the South African government.

The indictment said Duggan was allegedly contracted to provide services to a Chinese state-owned company, including evaluations of Chinese military pilot trainees, testing of naval aviation related equipment, and instruction on tactics related to landing aircraft on aircraft carriers.

Duggan also tricked the U.S. government into selling him a T-2 Buckeye training jet, which he intended to use to train Chinese pilots in carrier aviation techniques.

And as an audiobook here:

[Jafergon]

We had that guy here in Spain flying AV-8B+ in the Navy as an exchange pilot a while ago. What a disappointment...

[bosoerjadi]

I appreciate the way you reported this: just the facts, no judgement, no emotions but slight sadness and seriousness.

[patrickodonogue]

As a retired Marine, and Naval aviator, it's extremely disappointing to see a fellow Marine allegedly take these actions. If true, there is simply no excuse. His actions cast a shadow on the reputation of all Marines and the high standards we uphold, in and out of uniform. If convicted of the charges brought, he deserves a suitable punishment that, in its severity, is a deterrent to others who might think of doing the same.

[keith]

Why would China want a 60 year old jet trainer ? I guess you could train pilots in it but there are no secrets you could get from it.

[jliller]

A former military officer renouncing the citizenship of the country they served in seems, by itself, to be the biggest red flag this side of Nevada.

[aaronlopez]

Being a former foreign national, from a communist nation, no matter how bad things got for me here, betraying 💲this country that has given me so much would never cross my mind. I'm so sorry to hear about this.

[hotttt]

It's amazing what people will do for money!

[Ed-jgud]

Wow. Speechless that a us citizen let alone a marine would do this. Sad. He’s deserving of little respect. Hope he gets plenty of jail time

[elrobo]

In the 70's I was recruited to fly F-4's with the Israeli air force. I checked with the state dept, and they told me that if I took part in a foreign war (they were on the brink of war at the time) I could lose my US citizenship. I asked Israel if I would get Israeli citizenship and was told no, My father was Jewish and my mother was not. I would not give up my US citizenship. This looks more serious than what is charged.

[abikeanditsboy]

Good report! Concise and to the point.

[nickdougan]

When I read the headline I expected to be embarrassed that this guy was a fellow Brit. Now I am embarrassed that he is a cousin (ish)! We need to remind ourselves that treason is treason.

[kevspss]

What ever happened to loyalty to your country.

[pauleaton]

I love this Channel, I'm not a pilot, but served as a soldier in the British Army. Since watching this I've learned a little bit, as Mooch makes it easier for us non aviators to follow the conversation.
I've never commented before, due to my lack of knowledge on the subject of aviation. However, on this topic, I feel quite strongly.... It's an absolute disgrace that these former RAF Pilots, and a USMC Pilot, have sold their knowledge and experience to a hostile nation such as China...it couldn't of been any worse if they had sold their expertise to Iran or Russia. It is Treason, pure and simple. Should they ever return to the UK, they should be treated as Traitors, stripped of all monies received for their betrayal, and be Tried and sent to Jail, and although they might be civilians now, the first part of any custodial sentence should be spent at an MCTC, ( British Military Prison). They have endangered fellow Allies for thirty pieces of silver..but if they've gone this far, I doubt if any of them would have the slightest sense of shame or remorse.
Thankyou Mooch, for this fantastic channel, and good luck for the future 🙂👍🇺🇸🇬🇧

[toddewire]

Man, thank you ward for this very pertinent information appreciate it!

[davidbogard]

Hi Ward, another great informative video. Wanted to let you know that I am really enjoying the Punk’s book series. I am Finishing up “Punk’s Wing” right now and looking forward to the next one. You are a fantastic action packed story teller. Loving the stories and all the Naval Aviation details in them down to the smells and sounds.

[harrylime.]

So much for once a Marine always a Marine, there should be a special level in hell for someone selling out his country and brothers in arms. 😥😯😥

[hotttt]

Thanks for the update . Merry Christmas

[craigpennington]

Words cannot describe the anger I feel toward this individual.

[RCAvhstape]

3:00 By the looks of his helmet insignia this guy flew in VMA-214 (now VMFA-214, once long ago VMF-214), which was Pappy Boyington's Black Sheep squadron. So very disappointing.

[FlyinandDrivin]

Do we have any semi-famous basketball players in a Chinese prison they can trade to get this guy back?