Squadron Leader Jagbir Singh Rai was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in May, 1962. He was posted to a Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron as a Flight Commander in June, 1973. As a Flight Commander, Squadron Leader Rai carried out the training and supervision of his flight with great zeal and initiative and maintained a high categorization state of aircrew and a very high standard of flight safety. Due to his exceptional organising ability and guidance, his Flight, flew 1,810 hours during the year 1973-74 which is a record of this Squadron ever since its formation. He made efforts to achieve maximum aerial survey task output and has set up a record of surveying 30,000 square miles by Dakota Flight.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Jagbir Singh Rai, displayed exceptional organising ability, professional skill and high sense of devotion to duty in keeping with the best traditions of the Indian Air Force.

Air Marshal JS Rai VM & Bar was commissioned in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force on 26 May 1962 as a transport pilot. He has over 10,800 hours of flying on various types of aircraft and helicopters on the inventory of the Indian Air Force.

Air Marshal JS Rai, as a young officer, served for long in the valleys of NEFA, flying Otters and Dakotas. Thereafter, he became a Qualified Flying Instructor and has since then trained numerous trainees to graduate as aviators in the Indian Air Force. During his last stint on Instructional assignments, he has also held appointments of Flight Commander and Chief Instructor of Training Establishments. His staff appointments include Inspector at Directorate of Air Staff Inspections and Director of Operations (Transport and Helicopters) at Air Headquarters. He has also served as Senior Air Staff Officer at HQs Southern Air Command and Training Command. For his long and intimate association with operational flying, he has been appointed Commodore Commandant of No. 59 Squadron, Air Force in Nov 1991. He is an alumni of National Defence College.

For Command appointments, the Air Marshal has commanded 2209 Missile Squadron, Air Force Station, Suryalanka, No. 49 Squadron and Air Force Station, Yelahanka. Prior to his appointment as Senior Air Staff Officer at Training Command, he held the appointment of Commandant of National Defence Academy. He took over as Air Officer Commanding-inChief of Training Command, IAF on 01 Jan 1998. Air Marshal JS Rai has introduced new flying pattern for more efficient and cost-effective training of pilots. He has been instrumental in analysing critical problems connected with maintenance of HPT-32 aircraft and in initiating remedial measures in consultation with various DRDO organizations to restore confidence of the Instructors and trainees in the aircraft. Under his able and dynamic leadership, the Commanders and Supervisors in the field have displayed a greater sense of commitment and dedication resulting in better flying environment and highest standard of training. His imaginative management of resources has caused the infrastructure at the training institutions as also living conditions for personnel to greatly improve.

Air Marshal JS Rai VM & Bar has thus rendered distinguished service of most exceptional order.