Ralph (Raphael) James, Major General (retired), joined the Defence Forces as a Cadet with the 50th Army Cadet Class and the 8th Regular Air Corps Class in 1973. During his Air Corps career he flew many aircraft types in various mission profiles including maritime patrolling and Ministerial air transport. Maj Gen James was serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, at the time of his retirement from the Defence Forces in 2015; he was the first Air Corps officer to be appointed by the Government to the Defence Forces General Staff. His career has continued as the Director of Regulatory Affairs and Director of Safety Regulations with the Irish Aviation Authority. Maj Gen James was interviewed for the Military Archives Oral History Project in February 2017.