Desert Hammer 2024: Strengthening Resilience through Spiritual, Mortuary Affairs

In the heart of southern Arizona’s rugged terrain, where strategy and strength were colliding, Desert Hammer 2024 also brought focus to an often-overlooked battlefield – the human spirit. Over 700 participants from multiple branches and nations gathered Nov. 13-16 for the largest Large Force Exercise (LFE) in the state’s history, hosted by the 944th Fighter Wing. While the operation showcased complex logistics and combat capabilities, the heart of the exercise lay in its human element – served by spiritual and mortuary affairs. Through their efforts, chaplains, religious affairs Airmen, and mortuary affairs Airmen highlighted the Air Force’s commitment to dignity, resilience, and honoring its service members.