[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 136 (Tuesday, August 15, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E777-E778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING BRIGADIER GENERAL MATTHEW HIGER'S CAREER OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE GARCIA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 15, 2023

  Mr. MIKE GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
a lifelong patriot and soldier who has proudly served our great Nation 
in uniform for more than 30 years. After a storied career marked by 
professional exceptionalism and taking on new challenges without 
hesitation, Brigadier General Matthew Higer will be enjoying his well-
earned retirement. While the team at Edwards Air Force Base will surely 
miss his leadership, General Higer will undoubtedly be enjoying the 
opportunity to spend more time with loved ones.
  Prior to his command of the 412th Test Wing. General Higer began his 
career attending some of our nation's finest military learning 
institutions, earning his commission from the Air Force Officer Reserve 
Training Corps at the University of Southern California and going on to 
attend the United States Army War College and the United States Naval 
Postgraduate School. Between his stints at these schools, General Higer 
served as a test pilot, evaluator pilot, and instructor pilot. No 
matter which role he was serving in at the time, Higer consistently 
distinguished himself from his fellow airmen through his hard work 
ethic and commitment to the pursuit of excellence. Over

[[Page E778]]

the course of his career, General Higer has piloted 40 different types 
of aircraft and accrued over 3,000 military flight hours.
  General Higer is concluding his admirable career at Edwards Air Force 
Base as commander of the 412th Test Wing, but this was not his first 
time in what is first time in California's ``Aerospace Valley''. He 
first came here as a student-pilot in 2003, attending the world-famous 
U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and setting himself apart from the 
rest of his class with his skill and tenacity. While he went on to 
fulfill different roles around the country, General Higer couldn't stay 
away from Edwards AFB for long. He returned in 2017 and served as 
Commandant for the same test pilot school he graduated from as a young 
soldier, and later ascended to the position of Commander for the 412th 
Test Wing. Under his leadership, Edwards Air Force Base has remained 
the center of the flight testing universe, overseeing the testing of 
such programs as the F-16, T-38, T-7 A, F-22, F-35, C-12, C-17, KC-135, 
KC-46. B-1, B-2, B-52, B-21. Because of the work of General Higer and 
the brave men and women under his command, our nation is better 
prepared and equipped for the future and positioned to exceed our 
enemies in next-generation air dominance.
  Once again, I want to recognize and sincerely thank Brigadier General 
Higer for his lifetime of service to our great Nation. I know myself, 
our community, and all those at the 412th Test Wing will be wishing him 
nothing but happiness and prosperity in his retirement.

                          ____________________