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.

[citation needed] 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.

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.

[citation needed] 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.

[citation needed] 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 was deployed at short notice to PAF Base Samungli to provide air defence for Pakistan's nuclear infrastructure.