No. 9 Squadron, named the Griffins, is a Pakistan Air Force fighter squadron assigned to the No. 38 Multi-Role Wing of the PAF Central Air Command. The squadron is stationed at PAF Base Mushaf, Sargodha. It was the PAF's first fighter squadron, has been commanded by seven Chiefs of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force. The squadron crest is a red griffin which symbolises strength, aggressiveness and vigilance. Scrolls around the squadron crest display the battle honours Sargodha 65 and Karachi 71.[2] The Griffins are considered as the PAF's most elite unit as well as its most senior.[3]
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No. 9 Squadron was originally raised on 13 November 1943 at Risalpur. The squadron was formed at Lahore on 3 January 1944, equipped with the Hawker Hurricane IIC,[2] by Squadron Leader A.W. Ridler of the Royal Air Force. During this time the squadron was commanded by then Squadron Leader Asghar Khan and deployed in Burma where it was extensively involved in World War II operations against the Japanese, later being awarded the sword of a Japanese general for its services. The squadron was also converted to the Spitfire VIII in 1945, still with then Squadron Leader M. Asghar Khan in command.[2]
In July 1947, then Squadron Leader Asghar Khan was a member of the Air Force Reconstitution Committee and insisted the squadron be transferred to the Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF). The squadron was thus established at Peshawar as the RPAF's first fighter squadron, equipped with eight Hawker Tempest fighters and commanded by Squadron Leader M. Ibrahim Khan. The squadron converted to the Hawker Fury in July 1950 and moved to Kohat in November 1956.[2] The unit is believed to have created the first aerobatics team in the sub-continent with the formation of the Red Dragons in 1957.[3] In March 1961 the squadron converted to the F-104 Starfighter.[2]
During the 1965 Indo-Pak War the squadron flew reconnaissance, air defence and fighter escort sorties, during which three Indian Air Force aircraft were shot down. Flight Lieutenant Aftab downed a Dassault Mystere on 6 September which was attacking targets at Rahwali, Flight Lieutenant Amjad H. Khan downed another Mystere on 7 September and Squadron Leader Jamal A. Khan shot down an English Electric Canberra during a night-time interception.[2]
After the 1971 Indo-Pak War started, the squadron was deployed to PAF Base Masroor and flew air defence, reconnaissance, escort and day/night strike missions. Three Indian aircraft, a Folland Gnat and Sukhoi Su-7 of the Indian Air Force and a Breguet Alizé of the Indian Navy, were shot down. Squadron Leader Amjad Khan ejected after being shot down during an attack on an Indian radar. Wing Commander Mervyn Middlecoat and Flight Lieutenant Samad Changezi were killed after being shot down during dogfights with more modern and maneuverable MiG-21 interceptors of the Indian Air Force.[2]
After the F-104 was retired in the early 1970s, the squadron was re-formed in January 1973 at PAF Base Rafiqui, equipped with the newly acquired Dassault Mirage 5 with the role of Tactical Attack. This role was changed on 15 June 1977 to that of an Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) and was moved again to PAF Base Masroor on 31 August 1981. Fifteen conversion courses were completed during this time. In June 1984 the unit was again moved to PAF Base Sargodha (now known as PAF Base Mushaf), re-equipped with the F-16 Fighting Falcon and re-tasked as a Multi-Role squadron.[3] After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 there were many border violations by Russian and Afghan aircraft, three of which were shot down by No. 9 Squadron pilots. Two Sukhoi Su-22 fighters were downed on 17 May 1986 by Squadron Leader Mohammed Yousaf near Parachinar and an Antonov An-26 was downed by Squadron Leader Sikander Hayat on 30 March 1987. The Thomson-CSF ATLIS II laser designator pod was installed on No. 9 Squadron's F-16s from 1987 onwards to allow them to deliver laser-guided bombs.[1]
On 27 May 1998, No. 9 squadron was deployed at short notice to PAF Base Samungli to provide air defence for Pakistan's nuclear infrastructure.[3]
| No. 9 Squadron Griffins | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Role | Operational | Aircraft | Notes |
| 1944—1947 | Hawker Hurricane IIC | ||
| 1947—1950 | Hawker Tempest II | ||
| 1950—1961 | Hawker Fury FB.60 | ||
| 1961—~1971 | F-104A Starfighter | ||
| Tactical Attack | 1973—1977 | Dassault Mirage 5PA | |
| Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) | 1977—1984 | Dassault Mirage 5PA | |
| Multi-Role | 1984—present | F-16 Fighting Falcon F-16A/B Block 15 |
Second unit to be equipped with the F-16. Credited with 3 kills: two Su-22 on 17 May 1986 by Squadron Leader Mohammed Yousaf and an An-26 on 30 March 1987 by Squadron Leader Sikander Hayat. Equipped with the ATLIS II targeting pod in 1987 for ground attack role.[6] Commanded by Wg. Cmd. Aamir Masood in 2006, who is now flying Sukhoi Su-30MKK with the Chinese Navy (PLAN).[7] |