No. 9 Squadron PAF

Add links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
No. 9 Squadron Griffins
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Engagements
Decorations5×
F-16 Fighting Falcon (1984–Present) [citation needed
]

No. 9 Squadron, named the Griffins, is a

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.The Griffins are considered as the PAF's most elite unit as well as its most senior. [2]

History

Background

No. 9 Squadron was originally raised on 13 November 1943 at

Squadron Leader A.W. Ridler of the Royal Air Force.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed
]

First fighter squadron of Pakistan

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

F-104 Starfighter.[citation needed
]

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.[citation needed
]

After the 1971 Indo-Pak War started, the squadron was deployed to

MiG-21 interceptors of the Indian Air Force.[citation needed
]

After the

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.[citation needed]

Exercises

National

  • 1960
    • 'Flight Safety' Trophy
  • 1991
    • Awards: Top Gun 1991
    • Trophies: 'Best Combat Ready Squadron', 'Combat Flying Training', 'Inter-Squadron Maintenance Efficiency'
  • 1993
    • Trophies: 'Inter-Squadron Maintenance Efficiency'
  • 1996 – five pilots and their aircraft were deployed to PAF Base Masroor on 7 October 1996 to take part in the Inter-Squadron Armament Competition (ISAC 1996).
    • Awards: 'Sher Afgan' for first place in 'Inter-Squadron Armament Competition' (ISAC 1996).
    • Trophies: 'Best Multi-Role Squadron', 'Inter-Squadron Maintenance Efficiency' and 'Best Formation' trophy after leading the Pakistan Day fly-past performance.
  • 1997
    • Awards: Top Gun 1997
    • Trophies: 'War Preparedness', 'Best Combat Ready Squadron'.
  • 2019
    • Sher Afgan Trophy (Top Gun): Wing Commander Nauman Akram Shaheed (OC 9 Squadron)

International

  • Mid Link 74 – A
    CENTO exercise that took place at PAF Base Masroor in 1974.[citation needed
    ]
  • Anatolian Eagle 06 – In June 2006 a PAF contingent of F-16s from No. 9 Squadron was deployed to Konya Airbase in Turkey to take part in the Anatolian Eagle 2006 exercise.[1]
  • F-16B fighters and 100 personnel of No. 9 Squadron to Nellis Air Force Base in the United States, a journey that took six days and four stops, to take part in the Red Flag 2010-4 and Green Flag 2010-9 exercises. During the 12 days of the exercise, 57 air interdiction missions were flown by the PAF fighters and 50 air-to-air refuelling hook-ups were made with USAF tankers,[3] during which 50,303 kg of jet fuel was transferred.[4]
  • Green Flag 2010-9[3]
  • Falcon Talon 2022

Aircraft Flown

No. 9 Squadron Griffins
Role Operational Aircraft Notes
Fighter 1944–1947 Hawker Hurricane IIC
Fighter 1947–1950 Hawker Tempest II
Fighter 1950–1961 Hawker Fury FB.60
Interceptor 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
An-26 on 30 March 1987, by Squadron Leader Sikander Hayat. Equipped with the ATLIS II targeting pod in 1987 for ground attack role.[5] Commanded by Wg. Cmd. Aamir Masood in 2006, who is now flying Sukhoi Su-30MKK with the Chinese Navy (PLAN).[6]

Gallery

  • USAF and PAF F-16s during Falcon Talon 2022
    USAF and PAF F-16s during Falcon Talon 2022
  • The Griffins flying F-16B fighters during the Red Flag 2010 exercise.
    The Griffins flying F-16B fighters during the Red Flag 2010 exercise.
  • Ground crew of no.9 squadron performing F-16 maintenance duties
    Ground crew of no.9 squadron performing F-16 maintenance duties
  • A group photo of Griffins pilots deployed to Red Flag.
    A group photo of Griffins pilots deployed to Red Flag.
  • An officer performs a post-flight inspection after the Griffins arrive at Red
    An officer performs a post-flight inspection after the Griffins arrive at Red
  • USAF ground crew signals a F-16BM from the No. 9 squadron "Griffins" during Falcon Talon 2022
    USAF ground crew signals a F-16BM from the No. 9 squadron "Griffins" during Falcon Talon 2022
  • Griffins before the sunset
    Griffins before the sunset
  • A Griffin takes on fuel from a USAF KC-135 tanker
    A Griffin takes on fuel from a USAF
    KC-135
    tanker

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "9th squadron (PAF)". www.F-16.net. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  2. ^ @DGPR_PAF (25 January 2022). "25 Jan marks the historic day of Color Presentation to the elite No 9 Multi-Role Sqn "Griffins", one of the oldest…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ a b Parsons, Gary (12 Aug 2010). "Pakistan's Red Flag". Key.Aero Network (www.key.aero). Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  4. ^ Capt. Ashley Norris (August 6, 2010). "Pakistan Air Force trains at Nellis". www.F-16.net. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  5. ^ "9 sqn "Griffins" (PAF)". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
  6. ^ "Viper Driver Flying Hours - Wg.Cmd. Aamir Masood". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 11 April 2010.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._9_Squadron_PAF&oldid=1222619910"