The USS Portland and USS Montgomery will be working together to help NASA retrieve the Artemis I Orion Capsule from the Pacific Ocean.
“Once it hits the water, we’re going to remove the flight plugs that NASA installed and we’re going to install toe pins. That’s when the ship takes over," explained Petty Officer First Class Wayne Shearer, a Navy diver.“When I was a senior in high school, living in Louisville, Louisiana, I heard a loud boom outside my window and I went out to inspect it and unfortunately found out a few hours later it was the Columbia," he recalled.But if you ask him if he’s scared — he’ll tell you no.
“We’ve trained for a year and a half. There’s nothing to be scared about. It’s just water. We deal with water every day. So, it’s just another mission to us," he said.All the sailors onboard went through training to prepare for the mission. “Training with them, the energy level is very high — everybody is very excited— especially now that its finally coming to fruition," said Lt. Thomas Logan.He’s been serving for seven years and is hopeful for a successful mission.
“This is a stepping stool — bringing astronauts to the moon and then eventually to Mars. Being a part of Artemis I is a big deal," he said.“I think when you join the Navy, you always hope to be a part of something big, and I think that time has come," said Ensign Adam Regnier, a laser officer.“I feel really privileged and honored to be the Conning Officer. It’s a big deal and it’s a big part of history," he said.
The capsule is expected to hit the Pacific Ocean, off the coast Baja California, at around 9:40 a.m. PT Sunday.
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