477th Fighter Group welcomes new commander

by Tech. Sgt. Dana Rosso
477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

3/31/2015 - Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska  -- Col. David Piffarerio became the 477th Fighter Group commander during a change of command ceremony here on JBER, Mar. 20.

Piffarerio accepted the reins of leadership from Col. Tyler Otten who will move on to be the Mobilization Assistant to the 11th Air Force Commander here at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Under Otten's command, the group's Airmen weathered difficult financial challenges including furloughs and the government shutdown, while continuing to accomplish the mission of training citizen airmen to execute the F-22 mission with their active duty partners in the 3rd Wing. The unit was one of nine Air Force Reserve units to earn the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 2014.

"It has been an honor to serve the men and women of the 477th Fighter Group as their commander for the last two and a half years.  I have been repeatedly amazed at their capabilities and commitment to the mission," said Otten.  "I am looking forward to watching them continue to do great things under Colonel Piffarerio's leadership."

Piffarerio came to the came 477th Fighter Group in August 2007 from Nellis AFB, Nevada where he served as an F-22 operational test pilot. While in the 477th FG Piffarerio served as Flight Commander, Weapons Officer, Assistant Director of Operations and Commander of the 302nd Fighter Squadron.  Most recently, Piffarerio served as the 477th Fighter Group Deputy Commander.

"The 477th FG has a tremendous heritage and history of incredible airmen," said Piffarerio. "I look forward to leading this organization to great heights and working with the men and women of the 477th FG and our partners in the 3 WG."

During the ceremony Brig. Gen. Richard Scobee, 10th Air Force commander lauded Otten's accomplishments as commander and said "Col. Piffarerio has been a member of the 477th Fighter Group family since 2007; he knows the organization and how to continue to make the group successful."

Piffarerio is native of Colorado and received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1994. Piffarerio began his career flying F-15E's before being selected as initial cadre to test the F-22 during follow-evaluations. In 2011, Piffarerio was the first Air Force pilot to reach 1,000 flight hours in the F-22 Raptor.