Mike Hutchens  
Dive Specialist


Born on May 25, 1969 in Colorado.

I was always into the outdoors growing up and learned to hunt and fish at an early age. By the time I was 15, I had earned my Eagle Scout. At the age of 18 I joined the United States Army. I attended the Aviation Logistics School in Ft. Eustis, Va. In 1988 I was sent to Korea, where I worked on aircraft electrical and avionics systems. After a yearlong tour, I was transferred to the 101st Airborne Division out of Ft. Campbell, Ky. I didn't just work on aircraft, but also participated in numerous test flights of aircraft electronic and rotor tracking systems. In August of 1991 I was sent to Saudi Arabia and participated in the Persian Gulf War as a helicopter door-gunner during desert storm. In 1992 I was sent to Germany and soon after became somewhat bored with the aviation field. So in 1993 I attended the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. After which, I was sent back to Germany until 1995. Later that year, I returned to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where I finished my army service on November 26th, 1996.

When I returned to Colorado, I picked up a job in computer cabling and networking. I was also trained in fiber optics. I later joined the Colorado National Guard as a Special Forces Communication Expert, but left shortly after when I accepted a job working on aircraft for Lear in Hawaii. In 1998, I married my wife Julie. We were looking for a change, and I applied for and was accepted to the Aquarius program. I enjoy working for the National Undersea Research Center here in Key Largo. My job is to maintain Habitat electronic and communication systems. I also participate in saturation missions. If fact, this current mission is my first time as a habitat technician.