Remembering the 1965 Bharat-Pakistan war, the Indian Air Force
(IAF) honoured Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke for his contribution in the war on
Wednesday.
An aerial display of mock air combat was held that showed how the
Kalaikunda base was saved during the 1965 war.
A static display of aircraft and equipment where small to big
aircraft with ammunition were also shown at the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke said it
was an emotional moment for him as he had spent his seven years of life at
Kalaikunda Air Force base.
“It is beautiful to meet my old hunter aircraft which I used to
fly. 1968 was the last time I flew it. Good to be back here and see boys do a
flypast for me. I felt emotional because I did it myself. I had tears in my
eyes. It’s good to be back. I spend seven years of my life here and today I
have come back home,” said Lieutenant Cooke.
Lieutenant Cooke is credited for saving the Kalaikunda base from
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) after it launched a raid on the base in 1965. He
was honoured by Vir Chakra in the same year.
The war started on April 24, 1965, when the Pakistan Army attacked
Indian territory in the Rann of Kutch and entered many miles. This act of
illegal occupation of Indian territory constituted violation of the Bharat-Pakistan
Border Agreement of 1960.
Defence Ministry Kolkata PRO Wing Commander Himanshu Tiwari said, “We
have gathered here to honour flying lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke who is also
known as the saviour of Kalaikunda because in 1965 war he saved this particular
field from Pakistan. We are trying to recreate the same scenario just to
showcase, how he had deterred the attack from Pakistan aircraft and saved the
airfield.”
Kalaikunda Air officer commanding Ran Singh has said Kalaikunda
Base is a very important base for the Indian Air Force as many new pilots are
trained here.
“It is a very important base of the Indian Air Force and Eastern
Air Command. Here the pilots, who fly fighter planes undergo training so that
we will be able to produce good pilots to tackle any enemy challenge. All the
planes that the Air Force is deploying today are aircraft of very modern
technology. With this, we will be able to kill the enemy in the air and also on
the ground, so that no one can come near Kalaikunda and do any harm,” said Ran
Singh.
ANI
