Major General David Abba, U.S. Air Force (Retired) served on Active Duty for nearly 30 years, retiring in November 2024. In his last assignment, Maj Gen Abba was the Director of the Department of Defense Special Access Program Central Office under the authority, direction, and control of the Deputy Secretary of Defense. In this role, he was responsible for the policy, guidance, and oversight of all DoD programs protected under special access controls.
Dave brings a wealth of experience to SMI in operations, leadership, strategic planning, interagency coordination, and leading change.
Major General Abba is an accomplished fighter pilot in both the F-15C and F-22A, commanding at the squadron, group, and wing levels. His non-flying assignments include Airpower Strategist in Project CHECKMATE, Assistant Executive Officer to the Air Force Chief of Staff, and Senior Air Force Strategy Advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. As a general officer, General Abba first served as the Director of the Air Force’s F-35 Integration Office.
Major General Abba earned a B.S. degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Human Factors Engineering, an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the College of Naval Command & Staff, and an M.S. in National Resource Strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and was a Seminar XXI Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.