Giffords will be flown to Houston rehabilitation hospital Friday

Tucson, Arizona (CNN) – Accompanied by a veterans' motorcycle escort, Arizona U.S. Rep Gabrielle Giffords will be taken Friday from a Tucson hospital to a nearby Air Force base for a flight to Texas and the beginning of her extended recovery, according to the congresswoman's office.

Giffords, thus far, has made a remarkable recovery after being shot through the brain in an assassination attempt, but doctors said she will require further rehabilitation.