Mutha Squadron = coolest name ever. I've been reading up on it, and looking for more information. Is that something I could share on my blog or is that an inside thing? I would love to tell it's story
Pretty long story, as best I can recollect. Started with the west-coast F-8 squadrons...the west coast Crusader RAG was (then) VF-124. Trophy was intended to be awarded to the community squadron that evidenced the best "fighter spirit"...which was deemed to be a laudable trait in its own right...at that time.
When 124 transitioned to F-14s in the early 1970s, "Mutha" tradition went along with it, and it became a west-coast Tomcat thing. Same rules. ROLEX ahead 20+ years to about 1996, when I think "Fightertown USA" (NAS Miramar) was BRACed to MCAS Miramar, and the F-14 FRS role went "single site" to NAS Oceana's VF-101...who assumed the "Mutha" mantle/traditions. ROLEX ahead ANOTHER 10 years, and the Tomcat Sunset (2006) required a "pass down" of the "Mutha Trophy" and the traditions to the Oceana-based VFA FRS. Something like that...
Would be cool if it could continue somewhere in the coming years, but it may go the way of the Collier and Bendix Trophies, and the Navy's annual "Admiral Clifton Award" (for the Navy's best fighter squadron...however that was measured back in the day).
Anyone know if any of those "awards" are still active or "held" by a current squadron and/or any other entity? I don't...