CAG bird

CAG bird is a specially painted aircraft, officially flown by the commanding officer of United States Navy Carrier Air Groups. Every carrier-based aircraft squadron of the United States Navy has such an aircraft, which usually has a modex ending with "00" (two zeros).^[1] Due to their unique paint schemes, enthusiasts such as modelers and aircraft photographers show great interest in these aircraft.^[1] Similar terms for "CAG Birds" include:

• Show Bird
• Easter Egg
• Boss Machine
• Head Nuts
• Double Nuts
• Triple Nuts (F/A-18B used by VMFA-321 during mid to late 1990s).

CAG birds of the CVW-5 flying in formation in front of Mount Fuji. Note that all aircraft have modexes ending with '00', while the first digit is related to the aircraft's own squadron.