[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 30, 2020)]
[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.

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