Photo By Alexia Lythos | Members of the 315th Operations Support Squadron pose for a group photo with Liliana...... read more read more
JOINT BASE LINDSEY GRAHAM, S.C. — NASA Exploration Ground Systems’ landing and recovery director recognized 315th Operations Support Squadron Airmen Aug. 27 for their support of the agency’s Artemis II mission.
Liliana Villarreal presented the recognition to squadron members who provided contingency search, rescue and recovery support for the Artemis II astronauts during the mission’s launch and return to Earth.
“Our aircrew integrated directly with a Guardian Angel (Pararescue/Combat Rescue Officer) team to conduct comprehensive mission planning for contingency ascent and entry abort scenarios,” said Maj. Ryan Schieber, chief of weapons and tactics operations with the 315th Operations Support Squadron. “This entailed maintaining readiness to conduct open-ocean airdrops of rescue personnel, specialized medical packages, and maritime recovery equipment.”
The partnership provided NASA an airborne contingency rescue option if the spacecraft deviated from its planned landing zones. The aircrew maintained an alert posture and immediate launch capability throughout the launch and splashdown windows in the event of an Artemis spacecraft emergency.
The Orion spacecraft, named “Integrity,” launched April 1 and splashed down April 10. The mission marked the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.
“If an anomaly occurs during launch, the crew capsule separates from the rocket and splashes down in the Atlantic or along the flight path where prepositioned surface recovery vessels are not immediately available,” Schieber said. “During return to Earth, unpredicted weather or system malfunctions may force the capsule to land outside primary recovery zones.”
The 315th Operations Group and the 204th Airlift Squadron, a Hawaii Air National Guard unit assigned to the 154th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, plan to continue supporting future lunar missions under the Artemis program, as well as NASA Commercial Crew Program missions to the International Space Station.
The mission highlighted the C-17 Globemaster III’s long-range airlift and airdrop capabilities while giving Air Force Reserve Airmen an opportunity to support a mission of national significance. The partnership also strengthens coordination among Air Force Reserve Command, the Air National Guard and active-duty combat search and rescue forces.
“As human spaceflight expands under NASA's Artemis program and the Commercial Crew Program with SpaceX and Boeing Starliner, dedicated rescue alert capabilities remain critical to astronaut safety,” Schieber said. “The 315th AW delivers the specialized heavy-airdrop capability and long-range reach necessary to ensure human spaceflight operations can proceed with robust rescue coverage.”
The 315th Airlift Wing is an Air Force Reserve Command unit at Joint Base Lindsey Graham, South Carolina. The wing provides trained Airmen and C-17 Globemaster III airlift capability to support global mobility, contingency and humanitarian missions around the world.
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2026 10:14 |
| Story ID: | 574618 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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