Grupo de Aviación 9 "Panteras Negras"
 

Role: Fighter/Transport.

The unit was formed in 1964 at Base Aérea La Chamiza/Puerto Montt, part of Ala Base 1, with Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star and Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star from Grupo de Aviación 7. Six years later the unit was reequipped with Hawker Siddeley Hunter F.71 while some F-80C and T-33A were sent to Grupo de Aviación 12 in 1967. Hunters of this unit played a principal role in attacking the presidencial palace in Santiago on September 11, 1973 as part of the military coup to oust President Allende. On 30.3.1975 the group moved to Base Aérea Cerro Moreno/Antofagasta. The unit was disbanded on 2.12.1981 and the Hunter were sent to Grupo de Aviación 8. On 18.3.1993 the unit was reactivated as a helicopter unit at Base Aérea Los Cerrillos/Santiago, part of Ala Base 2.

Air Bases:

Base	Duration
Base Aérea La Chamiza/Puerto Montt	1964 - 1967
Base Aérea El Tepual/Puerto Montt	1967 - 1975
Base Aérea Cerro Moreno/Antofagasta	1975 - 1981
Base Aérea Los Cerrillos/Santiago	1993 - Present

Aircraft Used:

Type	Qty	Service	Example Serials
Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star	15	1964 - 1967	J-314-J-328
Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star	15	1964 - 1970	J-330-J-336,J-338-J-340,J-342,J-343, J-345-J-347
Hawker Siddeley Hunter F.71	12	1970 - 1981	J-721-J-732
Bell UH-1D/H Iroquois	1/28	1966 - Present	H-74-96
ENAER PA-28-235 Dakota	25	1980 - Present	215-239
Bell 212	1	1980 - n/a	H-31
MBB BK-117B	3	1990 - Present	H-31-33
Sikorsky S-70A Blackhawk	1	1998 - Present	H-02
Bell 206B JetRanger	3	1998 - Present	H-21-23
Bell 412	3	2009 - Present	H-48-50

Unit Insignia:

 

Grupo de Aviación 9

References:

• World Air Forces Directory 2006/2007 (Ian Carroll)