A GRAND FAREWELL

Events

More than 100 senior officers, senior NCOs, Airmen, citizen leaders, elected officials and their representatives turned out Friday for a tribute to outgoing 412th Test Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Higer, ranking officer and commander at Edwards Air Force Base. In turn, BG Higer expressed heartfelt thanks and gratitude for his wing commanders, and their chiefs and Airmen. He said, ultimately, service is an action of love and caring. The troops care for the mission and each other, and the leaders carry responsibility to care for and about the welfare and wellbeing of their troops while staying focused on the mission of supporting the warfighters. Higer took command of the 412th Test Wing, effectively serving as commander of Edwards AFB, just as the pandemic swept the nation in 2020. It became the base mission of the “Flight Test Center of the Universe” to protect the force during the pandemic and to maintain operational tempo. “We didn’t come through unscathed, but everyone worked together, Higer said at his farewell fete held at Club Muroc. “And I have you to Thank for that, all the people who made it happen.” Click on the images to view gallery.

GREAT AMERICAN SUMMER EVENING

Events

The Edwards Civilian Military Support Group, Civ-Mil, hosted its Annual Summer Barbecue at Lane Hacienda Ranch. Civ-Mil President Matthew Winheim introduced Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Higer, outgoing commander of 412th Test Wing. Higer lauded the group formed more than 30 years ago by the late local business leader Aida O’Connor. “You’re my people,” Higer said. “You never ask for anything. You never ask to have something or to do something on the base. You only ask ‘How can we help serve the Airmen of whatever rank or stripe on the base.” Later in the evening, the Civ-Mil Scholarship Committee awarded $3,000 in education support for Airmen serving at Edwards. Shared the enjoyment of the evening with friends from Coffee4Vets, Juan and Atherine Blanco, Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s assistant field deputy Charles Bostwick and Rep. Mike Garcia’s veteran services advocate Christine Ward, and EAFB Base protocol team MyNga Day and Brandon Roque. Click on the images to view gallery.