Chad Hennings earned his commission and graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1988. He attended pilot school and eventually became an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot. During his career, Hennings deployed twice to the Persian Gulf. Based out of Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Hennings flew 45 combat missions in support of Operation Provide Comfort, the effort to provide relief and humanitarian aid to Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq. “The biggest challenge initially was having been drafted prior to graduating the Air Force Academy,” Hennings said. “I had the desire to see if I had the stuff to play in the NFL, but I knew I had a commitment to the Air Force.” Upon fulfilling his Air Force commitment, Hennings entered the NFL after being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. He played nine seasons with the Cowboys and won three Super Bowls in four years before retiring. Following his football career, Hennings became a Christian motivational speaker and author. He published several books and currently manages a commercial real estate business. “One of the best lessons I learned from a professional standpoint was that vision of who you profess to be is not just your aspiration and goals in the work force, but truly who you are in pursuit of those goals and aspirations.” Hennings and his wife, Tammy, have a son, Chase, and a daughter, Brenna. They currently reside in Flower Mound, Texas. Veterans in Blue is a multimedia collection showcasing men and women who have contributed to the legacy of the Air Force.