U.S. Air Force pararescuemen walk to an aircraft, posturing to provide contingency rescue support for the Artemis II mission in the Pacific Ocean in the event of a non-nominal splashdown. 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: | 04.10.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2026 09:19 |
| Photo ID: | 9608121 |
| VIRIN: | 260410-F-HW521-1133 |
| Resolution: | 6726x4484 |
| Size: | 3.55 MB |
| Location: | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, US |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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.