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04.09.2026 Story by Lt. Erin Wile The first face the Artemis II crew will see upon their return to Earth will be the face of a U.S. Navy Sailor. Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Wang, Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Laddy Aldridge, Chief Hospital Corpsman Vlad Link, and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Steve Kapala make up the dive medical team who will be the first to open the Orion capsule upon its return to Earth, make initial medical assessments of the Artemis II crew, and assist them out of the capsule safely and efficiently. They will provide initial one-on-one assistance to Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover respectively. Training for this mission has been a years-long process between the four team members as the first-contact medical providers inside the capsule. Often working in expeditionary warfare communities, Navy dive medical personnel are certified divers and undergo specialized training, making them experts in decompression illnesses and other undersea medical considerations. Their mission is to care for and ensure dive-qualified service members are safe to conduct diving operations. Following Orion’s reentry into Earth’s atmosphere and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, the medical team will enter the capsule to conduct initial exams for the crew, provide triage care as necessary, and assist the astronauts in egress onto the inflatable raft set up outside by Navy divers. The first-contact medical providers will then prepare the crew to be airlifted by Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 back to amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) for follow on evaluations. Wang, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1, serves as the lead for the four-man team. From Laguna Beach, Calif., he is a board-certified emergency medicine doctor by trade, having completed residency training at Lincoln Hospital in Bronx, New York. He joined the Navy in 2021 and was designated as an undersea medical officer in 2024.

WHO WE ARE The Navy Special Operations community is defined by service, sacrifice, and connection. NSOF’s mission is to support that community for life and honor its legacy. This quarterly newsletter offers a look at the people and moments that continue to fuel our work. NSO COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT  “They could be anything, but they chose this.”   Pat McLean’s path into the Navy Special Operations community started with what he calls “pure luck,” but it became a lifetime shaped by the people around him. “I could dive, parachute, and blow stuff up. Sold!” he says. “In every case I was always surrounded by superstars… EOD Techs, Divers and support personnel alike were all amazing.” That humility is what defines the community. “They perform heroic feats, but never seek glory. They’d rather heap praise upon the exploits of a teammate than brag about their own.” At its core, the community is built on something even simpler: trust. “From that day on… we are never alone.” It’s a mindset that carries through every stage of service and beyond, grounded in accountability and a deep commitment to one another. UPCOMING EVENTS An Evening of Impact Join us in Virginia Beach for an unforgettable evening in support of the Navy Special Operations community. Your presence helps fuel the programs our warriors and families rely on. DID YOU KNOW? Did you know Navy EOD traces its formal beginning to World War II? Before WWII, the U.S. Navy had no official bomb or mine disposal program — early ordnance hazards were simply handled by the most experienced personnel available. In 1941, the first naval Mine Disposal School was created in Washington, D.C., which later became the foundation of the Navy’s EOD community. WHAT WE'RE UP TO NSOF COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARDS For decades, many of the community’s most significant contributions have taken place quietly, often going unrecognized outside of the platoons and commands where they occurred. Through peer-driven nominations, these awards ensure that the remarkable missions, leadership, sacrifices, and lasting impact of Navy Special Operations Warriors are properly acknowledged & recognized. SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY Since the start of the year, NSOF has responded to over 10 support requests from across the Navy Special Operations community. From immediate assistance to long term support, our team remains committed to standing alongside those who serve and their families. LAUNCHING OUR NEW WEBSITE NSOF recently launched a new website designed to better share our mission, programs, and impact with the community. The updated site makes it easier for supporters to learn about Navy Special Operations, request assistance, and stay connected with the Foundation. PREPARING FOR THE 2026 NSOF GALA Planning is underway for the 2026 NSOF Benefit Gala in Virginia Beach. This annual event brings the community together to celebrate Navy Special Operations and raise critical funds that support NSOF programs and services. JAMES E. REYHER LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP Applications for the 2026 James E. Reyher Legacy Scholarship are currently open. The scholarship supports members of the Navy Special Operations community and their families in pursuing higher education. Applications are due April 15. GRATITUDE CORNER Thank You For Your Support Thank you to our 2026 NSOF Benefit Gala sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor R3 Strategic Support Group, Gold Sponsor Bulova, and Silver Sponsor SeeByte. Thank you as well to our silent auction donors and all who have contributed so far this year. Your support directly fuels the programs and assistance our community relies on. WAYS TO SUPPORT Supporting Navy Special Operations Foundation is easy and impactful! Whether through a direct donation, Donor Advised Funds, or earmarking a gift to a specific program, your generosity ensures our Navy EOD and Diver Community is supported for years to come! HELP US REACH OUR GOAL HONOR THEIR NAME CAMPAIGN NSOF ATHELTE AMBASSADOR IMPACT TESTIMONIALS STRONGER TOGETHER! DONATE TO THE NSO MEMORIAL

If you or someone you know may be interested in participating in our NSO Community Spotlight, we would love to hear from you! Please email us at info@nsof.org

by: DAVID R. MARTIN, MICHAEL R. SISAK and CLAUDIA LAUER, Associated Press Salvage crews have retrieved significant wreckage from the Potomac River following a midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C. The crash resulted in 67 fatalities, including all passengers and crew members on both aircraft. Recovery teams have so far identified 55 victims and are working to recover additional remains. Investigators are examining altitude discrepancies between the two aircraft to determine the cause of the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) aims to release a preliminary report within 30 days.

From October 31 to November 10, 2024, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8 (EODMU 8), under Commander Task Force 68, participated in Exercise Poseidon in Burgas, Bulgaria. This annual mine countermeasures exercise, led by Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye, included training operations such as floating mine response and diving exercises with live explosives. The event also marked the third activation of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasure Task Group, formalized by the three nations earlier in the year. U.S. Navy EOD liaison officers served as observers and advisors aboard allied ships, sharing expertise and strengthening interoperability among NATO allies.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 1 recently held a change of command ceremony where Capt. Michael S. Egan assumed command from Capt. Oscar Rojas. The event highlighted the group's recent achievements and outlined future objectives under new leadership. Capt. Egan emphasized his commitment to advancing EODGRU 1's mission and supporting its personnel.