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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING BRIGADIER GENERAL DAVID A. PIFFARERIO
______
HON. DEBBIE MUCARSEL-POWELL
of florida
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Brigadier
General David A. Piffarerio for his admirable dedication and selfless
service to our Nation. BG Piffarerio will retire from his assignment as
Commander of the 482nd Fighter Wing, Air Force Reserve Command,
Homestead Air Reserve Base (HARB), Florida on August 2, 2020. BG
Piffarerio first took command of the 482nd Fighter Wing at HARB on
September 9, 2018. BG Piffarerio's tenure as Commander has marked
everlasting change in the City of Homestead.
BG Piffarerio was commissioned to the United States Air Force in 1994
as an honor graduate. BG Piffarerio has served as a command pilot with
over 3,500 flying hours making him one of the most proficient pilots in
aircrafts such as the F-15E. His devotion to flying led him to a major
milestone, becoming the first pilot in the Air Force to log 1,000 hours
in the F-22 Raptor. BG Piffarerio has dedicated over 13 years on active
duty in a variety of F-15E Strike Eagle and F-22 assignments. He was
selected as part of the first cadre to test the F-22 during follow-on
evaluations in 2002. Shortly after, BG Piffarerio was named program
manager and F-22 test director at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. BG
Piffarerio was also a part of the initial cadre who stood up the 477th
Fighter Group in 2007. He served as the Commander of the 302nd Fighter
Squadron, Air Force Reserve Command's 477th Fighter Group, Elmendorf
Air Force Base, Alaska. Prior to assuming command of the 482nd Fighter
Wing, BG Piffarerio was the Command Center Director at Joint
Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern
Command.
This admirable work ethic, experienced operational knowledge, and
excellent leadership made him a respected and honorable Commander of
the 482nd Fighter Wing. For the community in Florida's Congressional
District 26, and the devoted men and women at Homestead Air Reserve
Base, BG Piffarerio embodies superior professionalism. He led his
members with courage and consistency. Under his respected role, BG
Piffarerio commanded over 2,500 personnel members, stemming from active
duty Air Force association personnel, traditional reservists, Air
Reserve technicians, and full-time civilians. BG Piffarerio also
managed wide-ranging tenant units that include the Air National Guard's
125th Fighter Wing, Detachment 1 Alert Force, Headquarters, Special
Operations Command, South (SOCSOUTH), U.S. Customs and Border
Protection, U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST
91114), the Florida Army National Guard's 50th Regional Support Group,
and members of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
BG Piffarerio's impact reaches far beyond the work at HARB, ensuring
the Homestead community benefits as well. He led efforts in enacting
positive change within the community by partnering with local
businesses, Homestead Hospital, Veterans Affairs, Military Affairs
Committee (MAC), the South Dade Chamber of Commerce, and many other
community organizations. It has been an honor to have someone of
exceptional caliber serve as Commander. On behalf of a grateful nation,
I join my colleagues today and congratulate General Piffarerio for a
lifetime of service. We wish him, his wife, Jennifer and his son,
Bryce, the best wishes on his new journey as Deputy Commander, U.S.
Alaskan Command, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
____________________
