Jaipaul James

Biography

Wing Commander Jaipaul James was born on 9 August 1971 in Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The son of an Indian Air Force veteran, he grew up on various air force bases, absorbing the culture and ethos of the service. From an early age he wished to follow in his father's footsteps and wear the air force uniform. After his schooling, he joined the Indian Air Force and was commissioned on 18 December 1993 at the age of 22, passing out as part of the 152nd Pilots Course after training as a helicopter pilot. Over his career he served with various helicopter units and matured into an accomplished aviator skilled at diverse operational missions. He also served as Commanding Officer of the 1 Delhi Air Squadron NCC from January 2014 to June 2016. In 2017-18 he was posted to a unit at Air Force Station Jorhat, Assam. On 15 February 2018, he and Wing Commander Dushyant Vats flew a Virus SW-80 microlight aircraft on an operational task. Around 20 km from the station the aircraft developed a serious technical fault; despite attempting an emergency landing, it went out of control and crashed on a sandbar in the Brahmaputra near Majuli, catching fire. Both pilots were killed, laying down their lives in the service of the nation.