Decorated war veteran Squadron Leader Alfred Cooke, renowned for legendary aerial combat heroics during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, passed away at the age of 87 in a military hospital on Sunday. The Indian Air Force and defense establishment paid rich tributes to the Vir Chakra awardee, whose daring interception of hostile fighter formations remains an immortal chapter in Indian aviation lore.
Cooke achieved historic military acclaim on September 7, 1965, when flying an antiquated Hawker Hunter fighter over Kalaikunda airbase, he single-handedly engaged three superior enemy F-86 Sabre jets. Exhibiting supreme dogfighting mastery and courage under blistering fire, Cooke shot down one enemy aircraft and severely crippled another while defending vital frontline installations from devastating bombing runs.
Senior military commanders, veteran associations, and citizens across the nation expressed deep condolences, remembering Cooke as an extraordinary aviator of unyielding professional integrity and bravery. The veteran officer will be laid to rest with full ceremonial military honors, featuring a ceremonial flypast and gun salute by active Indian Air Force squadrons.
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