Wing Commander Ramesh “Joe” Bakshi was an Indian Air Force fighter pilot and a member of the 104 Course. He was also part of the 35 NDA Course and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 13 June 1970. His service record identifies him by service number 12376 F(P), originally GD(P).
During his career, Wg Cdr Bakshi served as a flying instructor and accumulated extensive experience as a fighter pilot. He also served with the Iraqi Air Force as a flying instructor between 1979 and 1982. He subsequently became closely associated with the Mirage 2000 and No. 7 Squadron of the Indian Air Force.
On 19 June 1989, Wg Cdr Ramesh Bakshi assumed command of No. 7 Squadron, the Battleaxes, at Gwalior. He was an experienced Mirage 2000 pilot and was selected to participate in the flying display for the 57th Indian Air Force Day celebrations in New Delhi.
On 08 October 1989, while performing a solo aerobatic display with Mirage 2000 KF-102 at Palam Air Force Station, New Delhi, Wg Cdr Bakshi's aircraft crashed during the display. He was unable to recover the aircraft in time and was killed in the accident.
Wing Commander Ramesh “Joe” Bakshi died in service at the age of approximately 40 years, leaving behind a distinguished record as a fighter pilot, instructor and commanding officer of No. 7 Squadron.