Lieutenant Colonel Hennessey (née Turley) grew up in Fox Lake, IL and was commissioned in 2007 through the Platoon Leader’s Course program with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of San Diego.
She was designated a Naval Aviator in February 2011 and assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 164, Camp Pendleton to fly the CH-46E Sea Knight. After completion of Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) training, First Lieutenant Turley served as schedule writer, adjutant, and S-1 officer during detachments for Tactical Air Support for Marine Aviation Training and Weapons Squadron One, CALFIRE Wildland Firefighting operations, and support to Marine Helicopter Squadron One Presidential lift.
In 2014, Captain Turley was selected to train at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center as a member of the USA Rugby 7’s Women’s National Team (WNT). While there, she was selected to the traveling team for the Women’s Sevens Series in Guangzhou, China, and the USA Rugby 15’s WNT during tours to Canada and the United Kingdom before being named USA Team Captain for the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Paris, France.
In August 2014, Captain Turley completed MV-22B FRS transition training and reported to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364 where she served as Flight Line OIC, Quality Assurance Officer, and Aviation Safety Officer. She deployed with VMM-364 as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) for Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response – Central Command 17.2 and supported multiple combat missions in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE. While on deployment, she graduated with a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management.
Major Turley reported to VMM-262 in January 2018. She served as the Executive Officer for VMM-262 and ACE Operations Officer for VMM-262 Reinforced during the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit patrols 18.2 and 19.1. From August 2019 to May 2020, she served as the MAG-36 Director of Safety and Standardization.
Major Turley reported to the School of Advanced Warfighting in June 2020 and graduated with a Masters of Operational Studies in June 2021. She was assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) G-5 Plans department to serve as a regional planner for CENTCOM Plans, Northeast Asia plans, Assessments, and I MEF Posture. After promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, she served as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff G-5 from July 2023 to May 2024.
In May 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Hennessey reported to MAG-24 and took command of VMM-268 on 6 December 2024.
Lieutenant Colonel Hennessey’s personal decorations include the Air Medal Strike/Flight numeral 1, Meritorious Service Medal (gold star in lieu of second award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of second award).