Apollo vs Artemis Recovery | Navy Aircrew Compare Splashdown Ops (Mike Longe & Steve Williams)

Apollo vs Artemis Recovery | Navy Aircrew Compare Splashdown Ops (Mike Longe & Steve Williams)

Author: Brian Dickinson April 20, 2026 Duration: 1:03:00

For the first time, Apollo-era and Artemis-era recovery are compared side by side by the people who actually did the job.

Mike Longe, U.S. Navy helicopter aircrewman from the Apollo recovery missions, and Steve Williams, Senior Chief rescue swimmer supporting Artemis operations, break down what really happens when a capsule hits the water.

Same mission. Different era.

We walk through the full evolution—splashdown, swimmer deployment, stabilization, and hoist—and compare what’s changed from Apollo 13 recovery operations to modern Artemis procedures.

No theory. No commentary. Just operators.

Topics covered:

  • Apollo 13 recovery operations (Navy helicopter aircrew)
  • Artemis recovery procedures and modern systems
  • Rescue swimmer role vs legacy aircrew operations
  • Splashdown timeline and critical first minutes
  • Hoist operations in open ocean conditions
  • What’s actually harder now vs then

If you’re interested in NASA recovery operations, helicopter rescue, or real-world decision-making under pressure, this is the breakdown.

#Apollo13 #Artemis #NASA #RescueSwimmer #HelicopterRescue #SearchAndRescue #NavalAviation #SpaceRecovery #MilitaryOperations #Leadership


There’s a moment in every rescue when training meets turbulence, and a person must decide to step into the storm. Calm in the Chaos-U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Podcast is built around those moments, sharing firsthand accounts from the men and women who have lived them. Host Brian Dickinson, drawing from his own experience as a former Navy Rescue Swimmer and an author who has faced extreme environments, guides these conversations with a rare understanding. Each episode unfolds a real mission, but the focus often settles on what happens between the orders-the split-second decisions, the managed fear, and the profound humanity required to save a life in perilous conditions. This isn't just about historical operations; it's an intimate exploration of the grit, mindset, and quiet faith that define these individuals. The podcast has found a dedicated audience, ranking in the top tier of podcasts globally, precisely because it goes beyond the heroics to examine the tangible calm forged in chaos. While not affiliated with the U.S. Navy or Department of Defense, the stories offer an authentic window into a world where running toward danger is the job description. Listeners will hear voices often reserved for debrief rooms, sharing narratives of loss, survival, and the weight of the helmet, all framed by Dickinson’s grounded perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 55

Calm in the Chaos - U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Recovering the Apollo 13 Astronauts | Untold Navy Rescue Mission [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:46
The Apollo 13 mission nearly ended in disaster, but few know the story of the Navy Rescue Swimmers who helped bring the astronauts home. In this episode, hear firsthand what it took to recover astronauts from the Pacific…
Nighttime F/A-18 Jet Crash Rescue at Sea | Real U.S. Navy SAR Mission [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:41
When a U.S. Navy F/A-18 goes down at night in open ocean, every second counts. In this gripping episode, we break down the real-life search and rescue mission that followed—a harrowing operation led by elite Navy Aviatio…
Submarine Fire Rescue: USS Bonefish Disaster | U.S. Navy SAR Mission [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:27
Dive into one of the most intense submarine rescues in U.S. Navy history. When the USS Bonefish was engulfed in a deadly fire, it was up to Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmers to perform an impossible mission—extracting surviv…
Navy Destroyer Night Rescue | Chaos, Courage & Commitment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:54
A dark night, a rough sea, and a U.S. Navy destroyer present one of the most unpredictable rescue missions yet. Hear how a Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer braved chaos and towering swells to save lives off the side of a mov…
Persian Gulf Rescue in High Seas | Navy SAR Mission [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:08
Massive swells. Pitch-black night. Persian Gulf. In this gripping episode, a Navy Rescue Swimmer recounts one of the most intense nighttime rescues of his career. With lives hanging in the balance and the ocean stacked a…
Cliffside Rescue in Hawaii | Navy Swimmer’s Sketchiest Mission Yet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:05
Navy Rescue Swimmer is lowered onto a narrow ledge during one of the most dangerous rescues in Hawaii’s rugged terrain. This wasn’t just a mission—it was a balancing act between precision, adrenaline, and survival.Calm i…