No. 9 Squadron PAF

No. 9 Squadron Griffins
Pakistan Airforce No.9 Squadron "Griffins"
Active3 January 1944; 80 years ago (1944-01-03)
Country Pakistan
Allegiance United Kingdom (1943–1947)
 Pakistan (1947–present)
Branch Royal Indian Air Force (1943-47)
 Pakistan Air Force (1947–present)
RoleMulti-role
Part ofNo. 38 Multi-Role Wing
Central Air Command
Garrison/HQPAF Base Mushaf
Nickname(s)Griffins
Motto(s)How high you fly depends on how brave you are.[1]
Mascot(s)A standing red griffin[1]
AircraftF-16 Fighting Falcon
Engagements
DecorationsSitara-e-Jurat
Battle honoursSargodha 65
Karachi 71
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Asghar Khan
Abdul Rahim Khan
Zafar Chaudhry
Saeedullah Khan
Zulfiqar Ali Khan
Jamal A. Khan
Mervyn Middlecoat
Farooq Feroze Khan
Cecil Chaudhry
PQ Mehdi
Abdul Razzaq Anjum
Wing Commander Nauman Akram Shaheed
Insignia
Patch
Exercise Red Flag and Green Flag Patch
Aircraft flown
FighterHawker Hurricane IIC (1944–?)
Hawker Tempest II (1947–1950)
Hawker Sea Fury (1950–1961)
F-104 Starfighter (1961–72)
Dassault Mirage 5 (1973–1984)
F-16 Fighting Falcon (1984–Present) [citation needed]

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

The Griffins were officially twinned to the No. 9 Squadron RAF during a joint exercise at Mushaf Airbase. The ceremony was attended by Air Chiefs of both Air Forces, including Air Chief Marshal Stephen Hillier of the Royal Air Force.[3][4][5]

  1. ^ a b "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. ^ "PAF Elite Squadron declared twin of RAF's Illustrious Squadron". 2 April 2017.
  4. ^ "PAF's elite squadron declared twin of illustrious squadron of RAF".
  5. ^ "No.9 Squadrons of PAF and RAF Declared as Twin Squadrons - History of PIA - Forum".