Joseph (Joe) VM is a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force. Born in the sunny south of India, in the state of Kerala, the author had his schooling at Loyola School, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mayo College, Ajmer. An alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy and Air Force Academy, he was commissioned on Decemeber 29, 1982, and was the winner of the Nawanagar Sword of Honour for having topped his course. Highly experienced on the MiG-27 and MiG-23MF fighter aircraft, Group Captain Joseph has commanded a front line strike squadron in Operation Parakram, the Indo-Pak standoff during 2001-02. A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington, the author has held important appointments such as Air Force Examiner, Joint Director Personnel Officers at Air Headquarters and Chief Operations Officer of one of the largest air bases in the country. An experienced Cat A Qualified Flying Instructor, the author is presently serving as the Commanding Officer of the Flying Instructors' School at Tambaram, Chennai. He was awarded the Presidential honour of Vayusena Medal (VM) for distinguished service in 2003. He is married to Sophie and they have two sons.