- Flight Lieutenant A T Cooke, 1965 war hero, passes away.
- Vir Chakra awardee remembered for Kalaikunda air battle.
- IAF pays tribute to his supreme valour and combat skills.
Delhi: Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke, a 1965 India-Pakistan War hero and Vir Chakra awardee, died in New Delhi on Friday at the age of 87. The Indian Air Force (IAF) announced his death on Saturday and paid tribute to him.
Expressing condolences on X (formerly Twitter), the IAF said, "All Air Warriors of the Indian Air Force extend their deepest condolences on the passing of Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke, VrC. A war hero whose courage is etched forever in the annals of military aviation, Flt Lt Cooke exemplified supreme valour during the 1965 Indo-Pak War."
All Air Warriors of the Indian Air Force extend their deepest condolences on the passing of Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke, VrC.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 19, 2026
A war hero whose courage is etched forever in the annals of military aviation, Flt Lt Cooke exemplified supreme valor during the 1965 Indo-Pak… pic.twitter.com/KhRUGUWRhm
The IAF also shared a photograph of Flight Lieutenant Cooke and added, "His legendary dogfight over Kalaikunda remains a masterclass in aggressive air combat and unwavering resolve. For his conspicuous gallantry, tactical brilliance, and disregard for personal safety, he was awarded the Vir Chakra. His memory will continue to inspire generations of Air Warriors."
About The 1965 Kalaikunda Air Battle
On September 7, 1965, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched a surprise attack on the Kalaikunda Air Station near Kharagpur in West Bengal, damaging several aircraft on the ground. The PAF followed up with a second wave, deploying a squadron of F-86 Sabre fighter jets to strike the airbase again.
Flight Lieutenant Cooke and Flying Officer Subodh Chandra Mamgain of the IAF's 14 Squadron, known as the "Bulls", were on combat patrol nearby in Hawker Hunter jets and immediately moved to intercept the incoming attack.
During the low-altitude engagement, Cooke single-handedly engaged four Pakistani Sabre jets. According to available gun-camera footage, he successfully shot down one Sabre jet and severely damaged two others.
(With Inputs From PTI)