David Cohen

Dave Cohen served over 26 years as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of colonel. He holds a commercial drone pilot certificate and is a certified flight instructor with commercial, multi-engine and instrument ratings, as well as an advanced and instrument ground instructor certificate.

During his Air Force career, Cohen held numerous command positions around the globe, leading air refueling and flight test units, and was a Joint Staff planning officer at the Pentagon. He is a command pilot with more than 2,500 hours in various military aircraft, including the KC-135R/T, T-37B, C-37A, and T-38A aircraft and numerous civilian aircraft. Cohen has flown combat and combat support missions in Africa, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Central and South America, and Libya, as well as air defense missions over the United States.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Cohen became the senior manager for costume inventory and warehousing with the Walt Disney Company and was charged with providing cast member and crewmember costumes for Walt Disney World, Disneyland and the Disney Cruise Line.

Cohen also taught Air Force Junior ROTC in Orange County Public Schools (Florida) and was an aviation instructor in Lake County Schools (Florida), where he was also the school district’s aviation program specialist. In addition, he spent six years as an adjunct professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

• Distinguished graduate of Air Force ROTC, Boston University
• B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Boston University
• M.S., Industrial Engineering, New Mexico State University
• M.A., Military Operational Arts & Sciences, distinguished graduate, U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College
• M.B.A., Washington State University

• Trailblazer Award, issued by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University: Awarded for dedication and a commitment to the development of aviation curriculum across more than 180 high schools affiliated with ERAU, October 2022
• Ray Lien Aviation Educator of the Year, issued by Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo and Aerospace Center for Excellence: This award is given to recognize an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to aviation education across the United States, April 2022
• Florida Aviation Instructor of the Year, issued by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University: Awarded for excellence in Aviation Education from nearly 100 Aviation Career Academy programs across the State of Florida, December 2021
• Randy Lynch Award of Professionalism, issued by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University: Awarded for professionalism in the course of teaching Embry Riddle dual enrollment curriculum, and embodying the ethics and enthusiasm of Captain Randy Lynch, USN (Ret), July 2019
• Senior Leader of the Year, issued by Air Force Operational Test & Evaluation Center: Awarded to the AFOTEC Senior Leader who made the greatest contribution to Air Force operational testing through leadership, dedication, technical expertise, and commitment to the Air Force core values, March 2008
• Airlift/Tanker Association Top Research Paper Award, issued by Airlift/Tanker Association: Awarded for outstanding research and writing about the fields of airlift and air refueling. The Vital Link: The Tanker's Role in Winning America's Wars provided a comprehensive look at the Nation's reliance on air refueling, and proposed strategies and force structures needed to ensure this critical capability continues, June 2000
• Distinguished Graduate, Air Command & Staff College, issued by Air University: Awarded for superior academics and leadership throughout a demanding 11-month Masters Degree program of study, spanning such topics as National Security, History of Warfare, Strategy, and Leadership, June 2000