Help me remember the name of the U.S. Air Force spy who divulged info pertaining to U.S. ICBM operations.?

Question

In the 1980's, there was a terribly damaging compromise of sensitive U.S. missile system operational information by a junior Air Force officer who was a launch control facility commander. I think his name may have been "Cook."

Following his arrest, the public learned that he had been observed by a colleague taking photos of highly sensitive documents. When his colleague asked, "What are you doing," the stunned spy could only tell the truth. He replied, "I'm taking photos of these sensitive documents to give to my friends in the Soviet embassy." The explanation was so outrageous-sounding, the colleague never reported the odd behavior.

I don't recall this spy's motivations, but the manner in which he was caught was especially fortuitous for the U.S. After one of his visits to the Soviet embassy, as he left, his car would not start. He went back and called his family to tell them about the car. That phone call is what led to his identity and capture, as I recall.

Answer 1

COOKE, CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL, deputy commander of an Air Force Titan missile crew, was arrested on 21 May 1981 and charged with passing classified information to the Soviets which seriously compromised US strategic missile capabilities during the 1980-81 time frame. On his own volition, Cooke began to phone and visit the Soviet Embassy in late 1980 with offers to provide classified information. Cooke's motives were never fully established, but it is reported that he was attempting to establish his credentials with the Soviets for the purpose of academic research. It is also known that he sought employment with the CIA on at least two occasions. Believing that Cooke was part of a larger spy ring, Air Force prosecutors offered him immunity from prosecution for a full disclosure. After being given immunity, Cooke admitted to providing classified defense information to the Soviets. The US Court of Military Appeals ordered his release in February 1982 and Cooke resigned his commission.