Birds of prey in Tucson skies

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A P-38 Lightning, below, a mainstay of World War II, gets right with a Vietnam-era F-4 Phantom during the Heritage Flight Conference.

JILL TORRANCE / ARIZONA DAILY STAR

The World War II era P-51 Mustang flies overhead during the Heritage Flight Conference Friday, March 4, 2011. The Air Forces' state-of-the-art aircraft practice flying alongside a rich heritage of their predecessors from as early as World War II. The conference, which allows pilots to train together for future air shows, will continue through the weekend.

Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star

Barry Griffiths shoots photos of a F-22 Raptor, left, and a World War II era P-51 Mustang, at right, during the Heritage Flight Conference Friday, March 4, 2011. The Air Forces' state-of-the-art aircraft practice flying alongside a rich heritage of their predecessors from as early as World War II. The conference, which allows pilots to train together for future air shows, will continue through the weekend.

Jill Torrance/Arizona Daily Star

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Tucson's skies were filled with warbirds Friday as the annual Heritage Flight Conference began its three-day run.

The event includes an array of vintage and modern military aircraft, allowing pilots to practice close-formation flying. It's part of their yearly certification to perform in air shows.

This year's participants include A-10 attack jets, World War II-era P-51 Mustangs and thundering F-22 Raptors.

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base isn't open to the public for the event, but one popular viewing area is near the Pima Air and Space Museum, on East Valencia Road between Interstate 10 and South Wilmot Road.