Chief Warrant Officer Daniel James Hutchins is native of Marietta, Ohio. He enlisted in the Army in 1992 and from there served a four-year tour in Europe culminating in a tour to the Balkan’s under KFOR. Then, he was reassigned to Ft. Campbell, Ky., where he served his remaining time on active duty with Army aviation prior to being accepted into the Counter Drug program with the Georgia Army National Guard (GAARNG).
Hutchins served on active duty for operational suppport with the GAARNG from 1997 until 2000, when he was accepted and transferred to the West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) Counter Drug program. In June of 2001, Hutchins was accepted to Army Aviation Rotary Wing Flight School and graduated Sept. 21, 2002, where he has served with the WVARNG to present.
Hutchins holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mountain State University. His military education includes Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Warrant Officer Basic Course, Warrant Officer Advanced Course, Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education, Warrant Officer Senior Service Education, Maintenance Managers course, Maintenance Test Pilot course. His aircraft qualifications include the OH-58A/C, the UH-1, the UH-60A/L, HH-60L, and the UH-72.
Hutchins assignments include Delta Company, 2-227Th Aviation Regiment, Hanau, Germany; Charlie Company, 7-227Th Aviation Regiment, Hanau, Germany; Echo Troop, 2-17 Cavalry Squadron, Ft. Campbell, Ky.; Georgia Army National Guard Air Intra DET, Dobbins AFB, Marietta, Ga.; West Virginia Army National Guard Recon Air Intra DET, Williamstown, W.Va.; Charlie Company 3RD BN 126TH AVN, Williamstown, W.Va.; 146TH Medical Company, Williamstown, W.Va.; Charlie Company 1ST BN 137TH AVN, Wheeling, W.Va.; DET 1 Bravo Company 1ST BN 376TH AVN, Williamstown, W.Va.; DET 2 Bravo Company 634TH AV MAINT CO, Williamstown, W.Va.; DET 3 Bravo Company 834TH AV SPT BN, Williamstown, W.Va.; 772ND Troop Command, Williamstown, W.Va.; Bravo Company 1-224th AVN S&S BN, Williamstown, W.Va.; Joint Forces Headquarters West Virginia, Charleston, W.Va.
Hutchins awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserves Component Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Ribbon with One Bronze Star, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hour Glass, M and numeral 2 devices, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation Award, NCO Professional Development Medal with numeral 2, and the Army Master Aviator Badge. West Virginia Emergency Service 3RD award, West Virginia State Service 3RD Award, and the West Virginia Service 2ND award.