A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III is loaded with rafts and supplies at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, April 9, 2026, in preparation to provide contingency rescue support in the event of a non-nominal splashdown during the Artemis II mission in the Pacific Ocean. The 10-day Artemis II mission sent four astronauts around the Moon and safely back, marking a critical step in NASA’s return to lunar exploration. The mission concluded with a Pacific Ocean recovery led by NASA and supported by the Department of War. U.S. Space Command provided overarching command and control, while Air Forces Space and First Air Force Detachment 3 coordinated specialized rescue and recovery capabilities. The U.S. Navy executed the at-sea recovery of the Orion capsule and crew, validating the joint force’s ability to support future deep-space missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aden Brown)
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2026 09:17 |
| Photo ID: | 9608100 |
| VIRIN: | 260409-F-HW521-1248 |
| Resolution: | 8256x5504 |
| Size: | 4.15 MB |
| Location: | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 4 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, 15 WG, 154 WG on alert for potential Artemis II contingency [Image 12 of 12], by SrA Aden Brown, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.