Lt Col Abigail R. Ono

Lt Col Abigail R. Ono

Lt Col Ono is the Commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 130, Howard University, Washington, D.C.  She is responsible for educating and training future officers to lead our Nation’s Air and Space Forces as well as leading a cadre of instructors.  Detachment 130 cadets hail from the host university as well as American University, The Catholic University of America, The George Washington University, Georgetown University, Marymount University, Trinity University, and the University of the District of Columbia.

 

Prior to assuming her role at Detachment 130, Lt Col Ono served as Materiel Leader, Special Operations Forces & Air Education and Training Command Training Systems, Simulators Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.  She led an 80-member cross-functional team focused on training system requirements supporting Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Education and Training Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Mobility Command, and United States Special Operations Command. 

   

Lt Col Ono is a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.  She received her commission in April 2006 upon graduating from The University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.

 

Lt Col Ono previously served as the Deputy Chief, Capabilities Development Branch in the Agile Development Office where her team managed five major activities for the Next Generation Air Dominance program, translating Air Combat Command requirements into agile acquisition strategies to mitigate technical, programmatic, and operational risks. She also has multiple assignments managing test programs to include developmental test of the AC-130W and operational test of the F-35.  Lt Col Ono has acquisition experience across a range of platforms such as the F-22, C-17, F-35, and AC-130W in addition to munitions and subsystem programs.  Additionally, Lt Col Ono served as the Secretariat for the Air Force Category Management Program while assigned to the Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force, Management and Deputy Chief Management Office.  Finally, Lt Col Ono deployed as the executive officer for the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, the Legacy Wing of the Tuskegee Airmen, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.    

 

Education

2006 Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree, Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. 

2006 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, AL. 

2012 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, AL. 

2013 Master of Arts degree, Organizational Leadership, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. 

2018 Master of Arts degree, Military Operational Art & Science, Air Command and Staff College. Maxwell AFB, AL. 

2020 Air War College, Correspondence. 

Assignments

  1. June 2006 –June 2007, Communications Officer, 341st Communications Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, MT 
  2. June 2007 – December 2008, Executive Officer, 341st Mission Support Group, Malmstrom AFB, MT 
  3. December 2008 – June 2009, OIC, Technical Engineering, 341st Maintenance Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, MT 
  4. June 2009 – June 2010, F119 Test Manager, Propulsion Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 
  5. June 2010 – March 2012, F117 IPT Lead, Propulsion Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 
  6. March 2012 – May 2014, Project Manager, Direct Attack Division, Eglin AFB, FL 
  7. May 2014 – May 2015, AC-130W Test Program Manager, USSOCOM Detachment 1, Eglin AFB, FL 
  8. May 2015 – July 2017, Deputy Chief, Effectiveness Division, AFOTEC Det 1, Edwards AFB, CA 
  9. July 2017 – June 2018 Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL 
  10. June 2018 – June 2020, Deputy Chief, Air Force Reform Management, HAF, Pentagon, Washington D.C. 
  11. July 2019 – January 2020, Executive Officer, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia 
  12. June 2020 – June 2021, Deputy Chief, Capabilities Development Branch, Advanced Aircraft Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 
  13. June 2021 – June 2023, Materiel Leader, SOF & AETC Training Systems, Simulators Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 
  14. June 2023 – present, Commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 130, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

 

Major Awards and Decorations

Defense Meritorious Service Medal 

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf clusters 

Joint Service Commendation Medal 

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf clusters 

Air Force Achievement Medal 

Department of Defense Gears of Government Team Award, 2020 

NDIA Military Tester of the Year, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, 2016 

Program Manager of the Year, Propulsion Division, 2011 

Abrahamson Award, Junior Acquisition Officer, Aeronautical Systems Center 2011 

Top Performer, Air and Space Basic Course, 2006 

Distinguished Graduate, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp, 2006 

Effective Date of Promotion

Second Lieutenant April 28, 2006 

First Lieutenant May 21, 2008 

Captain May 21, 2010 

Major May 1, 2016 

Lieutenant Colonel December 14, 2020 

(Current as of July 2023)