CDR Sarah E. Abbott
Commander Sarah “Killface” Abbott is a 2003 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (Astronautics). Following commissioning, she attended Stanford University where she worked as a Research Assistant in the GPS Laboratory and earned a M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2005. CDR Abbott was designated a Naval Aviator in August of 2007 and selected F/ A-18s.After flight school, she received orders to the “Flying Eagles” of VFA-122 at NAS Lemoore for F/A-18E/F Superhornet training.
CDR Abbott’s first operational fleet tour was from 2008-2011 with the VFA-2 “Bounty Hunters” based at NAS Lemoore, CA. She deployed to the Western Pacific with Carrier Air Wing 2 aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN. In August 2011, CDR Abbott was selected to attend USAF Test Pilot School as a Navy exchange student. Upon completion of the experimental test pilot syllabus, CDR Abbott reported to the VX-31 “Dust Devils” at NAWCWD China Lake, CA. In October of 2015, she checked in as a Department Head with the VFA-147 “Argonauts” located in Lemoore, CA. She deployed with the Carrier Air Wing 17 in 2017 aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
In 2017, CDR Abbott joined the NAVAIR team as an Aviation Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO) and served as the PMA-242 Military class desk, providing technical guidance and tactical insight to eight diverse IPTs in the Direct and Time-Sensitive Strike Weapons portfolio. She participated most significantly in the development of the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER) ACAT 1 development program from System Requirements Review (SRR) to Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract award and Critical Design Review. In 2020, she joined PMA-259 as the AIM-9X Deputy Program Manager, where she managed cost, schedule, and performance for the production, development, and sustainment of the AIM-9X family of Air-to-Air missiles. Following this role, she worked as the integration lead for a critical capability for the Air Wing of the Future. In October of 2022, CDR Abbott took over as the F/A-18 E/F Superhornet Deputy Program Manager at PMA-265.
CDR Abbott has over 1900 hours in 31 different aircraft over 300 arrested carrier landings. Her personal awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, two Strike/Flight Air Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, and various campaign and unit awards.
