⚓ USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26)
Vessel
Hull: LPD-26 | Class: San Antonio-class Amphibious Transport Dock
Homeport: Naval Base San Diego
Commissioned: 8 Oct 2016 | Built: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula MS
CO: Capt. Erik Kenny | MMSI: 368926266
Homeport: Naval Base San Diego
Commissioned: 8 Oct 2016 | Built: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula MS
CO: Capt. Erik Kenny | MMSI: 368926266
Namesake — John P. Murtha (1932–2010)
· Pennsylvania Congressman | 35+ years U.S. Marine Corps
· First Vietnam War veteran elected to the U.S. House (1974)
· Longtime Chair, House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
· First Vietnam War veteran elected to the U.S. House (1974)
· Longtime Chair, House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
Artemis II Recovery Role
· Primary Integrity capsule & crew recovery vessel
· Splashdown zone: ~50–80 miles off San Diego coast, Pacific Ocean
· Air support: HSC-23 "Wildcards" MH-60S Sea Hawks (NAS North Island)
— Track capsule descent through atmosphere
— Extract astronauts post-splashdown, transfer to ship
· Ship assets: Well deck (capsule recovery), helo pad, advanced medical,
3D air search radar, full comms suite
· Dive team: Elite Navy special ops divers on standby for medical assist
· Data role: Collect post-mission data to certify future crewed Artemis flights
· Splashdown zone: ~50–80 miles off San Diego coast, Pacific Ocean
· Air support: HSC-23 "Wildcards" MH-60S Sea Hawks (NAS North Island)
— Track capsule descent through atmosphere
— Extract astronauts post-splashdown, transfer to ship
· Ship assets: Well deck (capsule recovery), helo pad, advanced medical,
3D air search radar, full comms suite
· Dive team: Elite Navy special ops divers on standby for medical assist
· Data role: Collect post-mission data to certify future crewed Artemis flights
"It is a fitting tribute to Congressman Murtha... that the ship bearing his name will be integral to this historic moment in space exploration."
— Capt. Erik Kenny, CO USS John P. MurthaNASA History
·
Artemis II (Apr 2026) — LIVE: Primary recovery of Integrity and 4-crew, ~50–80mi off San Diego
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