Dennis E. Nutting had a lifelong passion for aviation. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the USAF after graduation from Parks College of Saint Louis University with a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautics in 1977. He graduated Undergraduate Pilot Training From Reese AFB, TX in 1979. He was stationed at Little Rock AFB and Pope AFB flying the C-130. A lifelong learner, he later received a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He was an initial cadre member and helped start, even drawing the patch, for the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC) at Rosecrans ANGB, Saint Joseph, Mo. His passion was for teaching students the art of the low-level, and he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in June of 2000.

After his military retirement he went on to a full civilian career in aviation. This included bring a courseware design specialist for the Eurofighter Typhoon, and C-27J Spartan training design and flight instructor. He served as the Chief Pilot and Boing 757 Captain for Asia Pacific Airlines. Dennis had over 5000 hours of flight time.