Mike Hutchens  
NURC/UNCW Dive Specialist


Born May 25, 1969 in Colorado I was always into the outdoors growing up, and I 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 year long 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, and was awarded two Air Medals for my service. After the war, I received orders for Germany in 1992. After that, I returned to the United States to attend the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, located at Ft. Bragg North Carolina. I finished my army service there on November 26th, 1996

I then returned to Colorado where I picked up a job in computer cabling and networking. I 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. Several months later 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 Aquarius electronic and communication systems. I also participate in saturation missions. This is my second year with the program and my third saturation mission.