History
The 9th Pursuit Squadron was activated on 16 January 1941 as part of the 49th Pursuit Group. After receiving some aircraft and training it moved Australia where it was equipped with Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. The 9th flew combat missions in the Southwest Pacific from, 18 March 1942 – 5 August 1945, Korea from, 27 June 1950–December 1952, and Southeast Asia from, c. 13 May – 2 October 1972. Additionally, portions of squadron deployed to Southwest Asia to fly combat air patrol for coalition operations from, 20 June – 5 December 1991.
As one of three fighter squadrons of the 49th fighter group, the 9th Fighter Squadron's story began on 16 January 1941 when the 49th Pursuit Group was activated at Selfridge Field, Michigan. The 9th FS and its sister squadrons (7th FS and 8th FS) compiled distinguished history that included extensive participation in World War II with a record of 668 aerial victories.
Notable Aces of the 9th FS are Dick Bong (40), Tommy McGuire (38), Gerald Johnson (22), James Watkins (12), Andrew Reynolds (9.33), Grover Fanning (9), John O'Neil (8), Wallace Jordan (6), John Landers (6), Ralph Wandrey (6), Ernest Ambort (5), Warren Curten (5), Jack Donaldson (5), Cheatam Gupton (5), and Robert Vaught (5)
The 9th FS conducted training for German Air Force pilots in F-4E/Fs from July 1992 until converting to F-117s in December 1994, in which they participated in Operation Allied Force sorties over Serbia in 1999.
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