One of the most coveted awards in the Tomcat Community was the Mutha "trophy" and not because of its beauty either. It orginated with the Crusader community and was passed onto the Miramar Tomcat crowd and later to the East coast Tomcats and now continues to be revered by the Super Hornet community. History/rules below along with photo of Mutha Trophy with current holder (Very entertaining JO produced video entitled "Got Mutha?" attached: )
"MUTHA" has been a long-standing and rich tradition in Naval Aviation, and its chapter with the Tomcat Community is about to close. For the uninitiated, the term "MUTHA" represents a beautiful and revered status or trophy, held by the squadron which displays the best of those subjective qualities labeled as "Fighter Spirit." It also applies to the FRS Skipper, of the Squadron from which all aircrew learn how to master Carrier Strike-Fighter Aviation and the Fine Arts of wreaking havoc upon our nation's enemies.
The MUTHA trophy did not originiate from within the Tomcat community. The trophy's origin is murky, with accounts varying from liberation from Asian shores to accidental discovery during an epic liberty call in Rosarito Beach at a roadside stand. Regardless, the trophy's origin dates to 1964, to the F-8 Crusader community and the VF-124 Gunfighters. At some point the trophy began to be awarded annually "by the JO's" to the most spirited Crusader squadron, as a counterpoint to any official annual award decided upon by a bunch of old guys. As such, it became as important to Squadron Ready Rooms as winning the Battle E. MUTHA found a home in a Crusader FRS, and went into hibernation after the last Crusader squadron disestablished.
After a year in hiding, MUTHA's whereabouts were uncovered by a dedicated and loyal cadre of former Crusader pilots. In accordance with custom, five of the most junior aircrew gather together to reinstitute the MUTHA Trophy competition. As all had transitioned to the Tomcat community, this group convinced VF-124, now the F-14 FRS, to make the Tomcat RAG MUTHA's new home. MUTHA continued her reign at the mythical place called NAS Miramar until 1996, when VF-124 shut its doors and the Tomcat community single-sited at Oceana. MUTHA was enthusiastically received by the Grim Reapers of VF-101.
The central figure of the MUTHA trophy is TANUKI; a legendary figure with a jug of sake that is never empty and a coin sack that is always full. Tanuki wanders through the country, taking part in impossible adventures, keeping company with the fearless rogues and bold revelers who are, in turn, blessed and honored by Tanuki's presence. Today, the trophy is carried in a wooden display case and guarded by the squadron who is most worthy of this legacy.
Over the span of three decades, Tanuki has been an integral part of the Tomcat community, awarded at the annual Tomcat Ball or Fighter Fling. The days of the big fighter are numbered, and in September 2005 the Tomcat RAG forever closed its doors, once again leaving the MUTHA trophy in search of a home. As the remnants of the Tomcat community merged into the Hornet Master Race to become one, big happy Strike-Fighter family, it is hoped that the tradition of MUTHA, and all it represents, stays alive. To this end, at the 2005 Strike-Fighter Ball, the last Tomcat MUTHA and Skipper of VF-101 turned over care of the trophy to P-MUTHA the current Skipper of VFA-106. P-MUTHA then bestowed the trophy to the VF/VFA squadron which best represented true Strike-Fighter Spirit, as deemed worthy by P-MUTHA and the JO's of VFA-106. The winners for 2005 were VFA-11 Red Rippers.
The following set of laws and traditions shall continue to govern the annual competition:
A. The MUTHA trophy shall henceforth be the responsibilty of VFA-106. Any Strike-Fighter squadron is eligible to win. The trophy must be treated with the utmost reverence, esteem, and awe.
B. CO, VFA-106 will carry the title "MUTHA" and the responsibilty of protecting the dignity of the MUTHA trophy and enforcing the rules of the competition. His right-hand man will be the OIC of the E/F Side.
C. The trophy shall be awarded annually at the East Coast Strike-Fighter Ball to the squadron that best exemplifies Strike-Fighter Spirit and Esprit de Corps. The winning squadron will be granted custody of the MUTHA trophy for the next year, in keeping with the Spirit of Tanuki, in order to demonstrate to the rest of the slackers what a real Strike-Fighter squadron is all about.
D. For the following year, the victorious squadron will pay careful attention to the MUTHA trophy and ensure its well-being. But beware: the MUTHA trophy does not like hibernation, it was created to be seen, coveted, and worshipped, to include regular and frequent appearances at the Officer's Club, exotic ports-of-call, and public events. To lock the MUTHA in a closet in cowardly fashion is to dishonor the Spirit of the Tanuki and is not worthy of true Strike-Fighter Spirit.
E. MUTHA will judge a squadron worthy of winning the trophy only if it exemplifies true Strike-Fighter Spirit that includes the following:
(1) Handily defeating lesser opponents in the air and destroying targets on the ground;
(2) Hosting events that bring together the Strike-Fighter community;
(3) Constantly proclaiming superiority to the rest of the Strike-Fighter community. Blatant self-promotion, embellishment and propaganda are not discouraged (this is known as the Red Ripper Corollary);
(4) Utterly defeating other squadrons in organized sporting events, like those during Strike-Fighter Ball Sports Week;
(5) Strongly patronizing the best Officer's Club on the planet at NAS Oceana;
(6) Regularly reminding lesser Squadrons (and sadly for the Pukin' Dogs, sometimes their mascots) of their inferiority to the point of making them question their reason for existence;
F. All MUTHA related activities shall be non-lethal, non-toxic, and non-destructive. They shall also be creative, well documented and at least mildly entertaining. Intentionally damaging other squadrons' property or someone's personal property is strictly forbidden. Any violation of this rule will result in full monetary compensation to the victims and substantial beverage compensation to MUTHA and the rest of the Strike-Fighter community (Minibus Transmissions are expensive, ask the Jolly Rogers).
G. Squadrons shall not rely on the labor of or take advantage of enlisted sailors and airmen during MUTHA-related activities.
H. While inside the Officer's Club or at the Strike-Fighter Ball Functions, MUTHA and the Trophy are off-limits to kidnapping and theft. Anywhere else is fair game.
I. After a squadron wins the trophy, they are responsible for renovating its case in the appropriate squadron colors. Good taste is not a requirement (this rule added after the Checkmates won).
J. A winning squadron will relinquish the MUTHA trophy only if its deployment cycle will prevent it from attending the next Strike-Fighter Ball. If that is the case, the departing squadron will return the trophy to its permanent home at the RAG, where MUTHA and his minions will guard it.
K. Large credit will be given to squadrons who liberate MUTHA from the winning squadron through clever means. Tanuki favors the bold, and possession is nine-tenths of the law.
L. In the days leading up to the ball, a frenzy of activity surrounds the trophy as squadrons feverishly try to display their worth. Headwork prevails, keep it safe.
M. MUTHA cannot be bought, bribed, coerced or unduly influenced. That said, should any squadron think it vitally necessary to afford him an opportunity to closely observe and impartially evaluate their particular brand of Strike-Fighter Spirit in person, that is certaining in keeping with the Spirit. Word to the wise: Check with MUTHA's SKEDS O and MUTHAS's CINC first. Style points may be lost, for example, if the MUTHA misses dinner with in-laws and has to take a mulligan the next morning.
"MUTHA" has been a long-standing and rich tradition in Naval Aviation, and its chapter with the Tomcat Community is about to close. For the uninitiated, the term "MUTHA" represents a beautiful and revered status or trophy, held by the squadron which displays the best of those subjective qualities labeled as "Fighter Spirit." It also applies to the FRS Skipper, of the Squadron from which all aircrew learn how to master Carrier Strike-Fighter Aviation and the Fine Arts of wreaking havoc upon our nation's enemies.
The MUTHA trophy did not originiate from within the Tomcat community. The trophy's origin is murky, with accounts varying from liberation from Asian shores to accidental discovery during an epic liberty call in Rosarito Beach at a roadside stand. Regardless, the trophy's origin dates to 1964, to the F-8 Crusader community and the VF-124 Gunfighters. At some point the trophy began to be awarded annually "by the JO's" to the most spirited Crusader squadron, as a counterpoint to any official annual award decided upon by a bunch of old guys. As such, it became as important to Squadron Ready Rooms as winning the Battle E. MUTHA found a home in a Crusader FRS, and went into hibernation after the last Crusader squadron disestablished.
After a year in hiding, MUTHA's whereabouts were uncovered by a dedicated and loyal cadre of former Crusader pilots. In accordance with custom, five of the most junior aircrew gather together to reinstitute the MUTHA Trophy competition. As all had transitioned to the Tomcat community, this group convinced VF-124, now the F-14 FRS, to make the Tomcat RAG MUTHA's new home. MUTHA continued her reign at the mythical place called NAS Miramar until 1996, when VF-124 shut its doors and the Tomcat community single-sited at Oceana. MUTHA was enthusiastically received by the Grim Reapers of VF-101.
The central figure of the MUTHA trophy is TANUKI; a legendary figure with a jug of sake that is never empty and a coin sack that is always full. Tanuki wanders through the country, taking part in impossible adventures, keeping company with the fearless rogues and bold revelers who are, in turn, blessed and honored by Tanuki's presence. Today, the trophy is carried in a wooden display case and guarded by the squadron who is most worthy of this legacy.
Over the span of three decades, Tanuki has been an integral part of the Tomcat community, awarded at the annual Tomcat Ball or Fighter Fling. The days of the big fighter are numbered, and in September 2005 the Tomcat RAG forever closed its doors, once again leaving the MUTHA trophy in search of a home. As the remnants of the Tomcat community merged into the Hornet Master Race to become one, big happy Strike-Fighter family, it is hoped that the tradition of MUTHA, and all it represents, stays alive. To this end, at the 2005 Strike-Fighter Ball, the last Tomcat MUTHA and Skipper of VF-101 turned over care of the trophy to P-MUTHA the current Skipper of VFA-106. P-MUTHA then bestowed the trophy to the VF/VFA squadron which best represented true Strike-Fighter Spirit, as deemed worthy by P-MUTHA and the JO's of VFA-106. The winners for 2005 were VFA-11 Red Rippers.
The following set of laws and traditions shall continue to govern the annual competition:
A. The MUTHA trophy shall henceforth be the responsibilty of VFA-106. Any Strike-Fighter squadron is eligible to win. The trophy must be treated with the utmost reverence, esteem, and awe.
B. CO, VFA-106 will carry the title "MUTHA" and the responsibilty of protecting the dignity of the MUTHA trophy and enforcing the rules of the competition. His right-hand man will be the OIC of the E/F Side.
C. The trophy shall be awarded annually at the East Coast Strike-Fighter Ball to the squadron that best exemplifies Strike-Fighter Spirit and Esprit de Corps. The winning squadron will be granted custody of the MUTHA trophy for the next year, in keeping with the Spirit of Tanuki, in order to demonstrate to the rest of the slackers what a real Strike-Fighter squadron is all about.
D. For the following year, the victorious squadron will pay careful attention to the MUTHA trophy and ensure its well-being. But beware: the MUTHA trophy does not like hibernation, it was created to be seen, coveted, and worshipped, to include regular and frequent appearances at the Officer's Club, exotic ports-of-call, and public events. To lock the MUTHA in a closet in cowardly fashion is to dishonor the Spirit of the Tanuki and is not worthy of true Strike-Fighter Spirit.
E. MUTHA will judge a squadron worthy of winning the trophy only if it exemplifies true Strike-Fighter Spirit that includes the following:
(1) Handily defeating lesser opponents in the air and destroying targets on the ground;
(2) Hosting events that bring together the Strike-Fighter community;
(3) Constantly proclaiming superiority to the rest of the Strike-Fighter community. Blatant self-promotion, embellishment and propaganda are not discouraged (this is known as the Red Ripper Corollary);
(4) Utterly defeating other squadrons in organized sporting events, like those during Strike-Fighter Ball Sports Week;
(5) Strongly patronizing the best Officer's Club on the planet at NAS Oceana;
(6) Regularly reminding lesser Squadrons (and sadly for the Pukin' Dogs, sometimes their mascots) of their inferiority to the point of making them question their reason for existence;
F. All MUTHA related activities shall be non-lethal, non-toxic, and non-destructive. They shall also be creative, well documented and at least mildly entertaining. Intentionally damaging other squadrons' property or someone's personal property is strictly forbidden. Any violation of this rule will result in full monetary compensation to the victims and substantial beverage compensation to MUTHA and the rest of the Strike-Fighter community (Minibus Transmissions are expensive, ask the Jolly Rogers).
G. Squadrons shall not rely on the labor of or take advantage of enlisted sailors and airmen during MUTHA-related activities.
H. While inside the Officer's Club or at the Strike-Fighter Ball Functions, MUTHA and the Trophy are off-limits to kidnapping and theft. Anywhere else is fair game.
I. After a squadron wins the trophy, they are responsible for renovating its case in the appropriate squadron colors. Good taste is not a requirement (this rule added after the Checkmates won).
J. A winning squadron will relinquish the MUTHA trophy only if its deployment cycle will prevent it from attending the next Strike-Fighter Ball. If that is the case, the departing squadron will return the trophy to its permanent home at the RAG, where MUTHA and his minions will guard it.
K. Large credit will be given to squadrons who liberate MUTHA from the winning squadron through clever means. Tanuki favors the bold, and possession is nine-tenths of the law.
L. In the days leading up to the ball, a frenzy of activity surrounds the trophy as squadrons feverishly try to display their worth. Headwork prevails, keep it safe.
M. MUTHA cannot be bought, bribed, coerced or unduly influenced. That said, should any squadron think it vitally necessary to afford him an opportunity to closely observe and impartially evaluate their particular brand of Strike-Fighter Spirit in person, that is certaining in keeping with the Spirit. Word to the wise: Check with MUTHA's SKEDS O and MUTHAS's CINC first. Style points may be lost, for example, if the MUTHA misses dinner with in-laws and has to take a mulligan the next morning.
