Lieutenant Colonel Dan “Noonan” Rooney (born December 18, 1972) is a USAFR Fighter Pilot, PGA Professional (PGA of America link), CEO/Founder of the Folds of Honor, author of two books, golf course developer, motivational speaker (WSB) and former host the of Fox Nation show Fly Into The Wind.
Rooney joined the United States Air Force and was commissioned as an officer in 2000; Rooney is a two-time recipient of the Top Gun award and was honored with the Spirit of Attack award as a top graduate of F-16 training. He has received multiple decorations, including the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Anti-terrorism Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Air Expeditionary Medal, and Distinguished Service Medal.
He is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Rooney is a class A member of the PGA of America and founding partner in The Patriot Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, and American Dunes Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Rooney was born in Stillwater, OK, on December 18, 1972. He is the child of Dr. John and Sandra Rooney and the youngest of three children. He graduated from Stillwater High School in 1991. Rooney attended the University of Kansas, where he was on the golf team and helped lead the Jayhawks to back-to-back NCAA tournaments in 1995 and 1996. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
Rooney graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kansas in 1995 and then attended graduate school with an emphasis in Sports Psychology under his advisor Dr. David Cook, a renowned sports psychologist. He graduated with a Master’s degree in 1996. During his time in Kansas, Rooney met his wife Jacqy during his first year, and they have five daughters. He was honored as a distinguished graduate of the University of Kansas.
Rooney earned his USAF pilot’s wings in 2001 after completing Undergraduate Pilot Training at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas. Following graduation, Rooney completed Replacement Training Unit for the F-16 at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, AZ, and was recognized as a top graduate with the “Spirt of Attack” award.
He deployed on his first combat tour of duty in August of 2002. During this deployment, he flew combat patrol over Iraq to support Operation Northern Watch, enforcing the no-fly zone over Northern Iraq. In 2005, Rooney deployed to Al Udeid AFB to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a flight leader, he flew night missions and supported ground forces in numerous battles.
In 2008, Rooney deployed to Balad AFB on his third and final combat tour. He flew to support ground forces and participated in multiple engagements with enemy forces. Rooney continues his service and has amassed over 2800 hours of fighter jet flight time.
The three titles most associated with him are three tours of combat.
- Operation Northern Watch 2002
- Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005
- Operation Iraqi Freedom 2008
