LIEUTENANT COLONEL THOMAS G. ABBOTT (ret’d)
Lt Colonel Tom Abbott ended his 21-year, 7-month, 11day career in the Air Force as the 21st Fighter Squadron
Commander at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
He was born in Apple Valley, California, on February 5,
1959. He completed a Bachelors Degree from the University of
Oregon in 1982 and a Master’s Degree from Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University in 1996. He graduated from pilot
training at Sheppard AFB in 1986. Lt Col Abbott was a
Distinguished Graduate of Officer Training School and flew A10s at RAF Bentwaters and RAF Alconbury, UK from 1987 to
1991. He transitioned to the F-16 in 1991 and has flown in
TAC, PACAF, AETC, ACC and USAFE.
He was a
Distinguished Graduate of Squadron Officers School and
attended Air Command and Staff College in residence. He was a
Command Pilot with over 3,600 flying hours, including more
than 300 combat hours in the A-10 and F-16. He now flies for
Southwest Airlines and lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
EDUCATION:
1982, Bachelors, Computer Science, University of Oregon
1996, Masters, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1994, Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officers School (Residence), Maxwell AFB, AL
1998, Air Command and Staff College (Residence), Maxwell AFB, AL
Enrolled in Air War College in correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. June 2005 - present, Commander, 21st Fighter Squadron
2. July 2003 – June 2005, F-16 IP, Chief of Safety, Commander’s Action Group, 56th Fighter
Wing, Luke AFB Arizona
3. June 2002 - June 2003, Director of Operations, 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Wing,
Kunsan Air Base, ROK
4. September 2000 - June 2002, F-16 IP, Assistant Director of Operations, 510th Fighter
Squadron, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy
5. September 1998 - September 2000, Executive Officer, Joint Plans Officer, NORAD J5,
Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
6. August 1997 – July 1998, Student, ACSC, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
7. September 1995 – July 1997, F-16 IP, Squadron Chief of Safety, 310th Fighter Squadron,
56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
8. July 1994 – July 1995, F-16 IP, Fiend Mayor, Chief, Ops Inspections, 51st Fighter Wing,
Osan Air Base, ROK
9. July 1991 – July 1994, F-16 IP, Flight Commander, 69th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter
Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia
10. April 1988- June 1991, A-10 IP, SEFE, Flight Commander, Wing Demo Pilot, 509th, 511th
Fighter Squadrons, 10th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Alconbury, UK
11. December 1987- April 1988, A-10 Fighter Pilot, 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 81st
Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Bentwaters, UK
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating:
Command Pilot
Flight Hours:
A-10 - 1,300 F-16 – 2,100
Aircraft Flown:
T-1, T-37, T-38, AT-38, A-10 and F-16
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, 4 OLC
Air Force Air Medal, 5 OLC
Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, 3 OLC
Combat Readiness Medal, 2 OLC
National Defense Service Medal, 1 OLC
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, 1 OLC
Southwest Asia Service Medal, 3 OLC
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
NATO Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant
5 April 1985
First Lieutenant
5 April 1987
Captain
5 April 1989
Major
1 November 1996
Lieutenant Colonel
1 July 2001
Retired 1 July 2006