HIANG, Ready to Support NASA Artemis II Astronaut Recovery Mission

U.S. Air Force loadmasters and air transportation specialists move supplies and rafts onto a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, April 9, 2026, preparing 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)