MCLAUGHLIN AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, W.Va. –
The Charlie West Spotlight for November is Master Sgt. Darrin Hazuka, a Crew Chief assigned to the 130th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
As a crew chief, Hazuka’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, day-to-day maintenance, diagnosing malfunctions and replacing components, inspections, and supervision and coordination of aircraft care.
Hazuka joined the 130th in 2006 and became a full-time technician a year later, and he still serves in that position now.
He is a graduate of Shady Spring High School and is currently attending Concord University as a Business Major.
“My biggest goals are to finish getting my bachelor’s business degree and then move up to get my Master’s in either business or safety,” Hazuka said. “And for the military, I want to reach the rank of Chief before I retire.”
In his free time, Hazuka enjoys spending time with his three children the most. He is the scoutmaster of his son's boy scout troop and enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and skiing.
Hazuka is very much a family-oriented man.
“If I had to choose one thing to be proudest of in my life, it’d be my children,” he explained. “There’s been nothing better than watching my boys, Bryce and Gavin, become boy scouts or my daughter, Raegan, in her dance recitals.”
Hazuka’s favorite moment at the 130th takes him back to 2017, as he was returning home from a deployment.
“I had the opportunity to fly the American Flag out of the top hatch of our C-130 as we were rolling down the taxi-way after returning from our deployment,” Hazuka said. “In addition to that, it was Col. Preece’s (the current 130th Airlift Wing Commander) final flight as the Maintenance Group Commander.”
“Serving in the 130th brings me great pride,” he said. “I am very thankful to be able to serve my country and state and provide for my family at the same time.