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Vir Chakra Awardee Alfred Tyrone Cooke Passes Away at 87

26 September 20261 min read
AWARDS & PERSONSVir ChakraAwardee AlfredTyrone CookePasses Away at 8726 September 2026safalsetu.com

Why in the news

A decorated Indian Air Force veteran of the 1965 conflict has died.

Key facts

  • Person: Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke, former IAF fighter pilot; age 87.
  • Feat: during the 1965 India-Pakistan War he brought down an F-86 Sabre of Pakistan while at the controls of a Hawker Hunter.
  • Unit: the Fighting Bulls (No. 14 Squadron).
  • Honour: Vir Chakra, the third-highest wartime gallantry award.

Exam angle

  • War: 1965 India-Pakistan War.
  • Squadron nickname: The Fighting Bulls.
  • Award rank: Vir Chakra is third-highest in wartime.

Test yourself

1. Alfred Tyrone Cooke was a recipient of which gallantry award?

He was a Vir Chakra awardee.

2. Alfred Tyrone Cooke served with which IAF unit, as per the notes?

He served with No. 14 Squadron, The Fighting Bulls.

3. Alfred Tyrone Cooke shot down a Pakistani F-86 Sabre during which conflict?

It happened in the 1965 India-Pakistan War.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 25 & 26 September 2026 (28 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizSeptember 2026

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