Meet the Navy sailors who will be the first to greet returning Artemis II astronauts
Military Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The Artemis II crew will splash down in the Pacific Ocean after a 10-day lunar mission and be greeted by a specialized U.S. Navy dive medical team for initial medical assessments and safe extraction from the Orion capsule.
- Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Laddy Aldridge will be the first to enter the capsule, supported by Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Wang, Chief Hospital Corpsman Vlad Link, and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Steve Kapala, all trained in dive medicine and undersea medical issues.
- After initial medical exams and triage, the astronauts will be airlifted to the USS John P. Murtha for further evaluations, with the team led by emergency medicine doctor Lt. Cmdr. Wang.
- The Navy dive medical personnel bring extensive experience in expeditionary warfare and dive medicine, viewing their role in the Artemis II mission as a significant and proud contribution to space exploration efforts.
- Team members expressed personal pride and honor in supporting the historic mission, emphasizing the collaborative nature of safely returning the astronauts to their families.
