Operation Snowbird update Published Feb. 11, 2009 By 020209 DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The United Kingdom's Royal Air Force deployed eight GR-9 Harrier aircraft here Monday for training as part of Operation Snowbird. The aircraft will begin operational flying Thursday and are scheduled to end Feb. 26. The aircraft will depart the Tucson area at the beginning of March. During their brief stay, the RAF pilots will comply with all of the base's traffic patterns, safety procedures and noise-abatement measures. Visiting units use this unique training in preparation for upcoming deployments. Davis-Monthan and surrounding training sites offer visiting air crews similar conditions they would face in deployed environments, making the base and its assets ideal for combat training. Operation Snowbird provides support for visiting flying units from U.S. military installations and allied partners needing to train in the optimal weather conditions and ample ranges of Southern Arizona.