2 weeks ago
Arshdeep Singh Dang Becomes First Sikh RAF Fighter Pilot Since WWII
A young man named Arshdeep Singh Dang, who was born in India and moved to England when he was six years old, has become the first Sikh fighter pilot in Britain's Royal Air Force since World War II.
Sikh is a religion, and people who follow it often wear turbans.
Arshdeep studied math and philosophy at a university before joining the military.
He trained for many years, learning to fly different kinds of planes.
He even went to Texas in the United States for part of his training.
On August 14, he finished his training and became a fighter pilot at a ceremony in North Wales.
This is a very special moment because it shows that people from different backgrounds can become fighter pilots.
He will keep training for one more year before flying the fastest fighter planes.
His story shows that with hard work, you can achieve big dreams.
Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh Dang, 28, became the first Sikh to graduate as an RAF fighter pilot since World War II.
He graduated at a fast jet pilot ceremony at RAF Valley in North Wales on Friday, August 14.
Born in Chandigarh in 1998, Dang moved to the UK at age six and now lives in Southall, England.
He studied mathematics and philosophy at the University of Bristol before completing officer training in February 2022.
Dang will undergo another year of intensive training before progressing to frontline fighter aircraft.
- Who
- Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh Dang, a 28-year-old Indian-origin pilot from Punjab
- What
- Became the first Sikh to graduate as a fighter pilot in Britain's Royal Air Force since World War II
- Where
- RAF Valley in North Wales, United Kingdom
- When
- Friday, August 14, at a fast jet pilot ceremony
- Why
- His graduation marks a milestone for Sikh representation in the RAF's modern fighter pilot ranks
Key facts
- Full name
- Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh Dang
- Age
- 28
- Birthplace
- Chandigarh, India (1998)
- Family home
- Southall, England
- Education
- Mathematics and philosophy, University of Bristol
- Officer training
- February 2022
- Wings test
- July 2026
- Next step
- One more year of training before frontline fighter aircraft











