Desert Hammer 2024: Tactical combat casualty care - training to save lives Published Dec. 13, 2024 By Senior Airman Jacob Dastas 944th Fighter Wing GILA BEND AIR FORCE AUXILIARY FIELD, Ariz. -- The remote desert landscape of southern Arizona recently played host to Desert Hammer 2024, an expansive Joint Large Force Exercise showcasing the 944th Fighter Wing's commitment to readiness and lifesaving excellence, Nov. 13-16, 2024. 944th Fighter Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen conduct casualty evacuation and care training during Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1 at Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Ariz., Nov. 14, 2024. Set against the unmatched backdrop of the Barry M. Goldwater Range, Desert Hammer leverages Arizona’s strategic geography to provide realistic combat training for U.S. and allied forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Casey Staheli) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Among its many facets, Tactical Combat Casualty Care training took center stage, immersing participants in realistic scenarios designed to prepare them for the most challenging battlefield conditions. “Typically, in our IRPS (In-Route Patient Staging) mission, we may have our patients up to three days, but here, we’re anticipating having them longer and in more critical conditions,” said Capt. Paris Mandy, a clinical nurse with the 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron. Mandy highlighted the importance of this rigorous training, which focuses on adapting to resource limitations and responding effectively to severe injuries. Key scenarios included mass casualty events requiring advanced triage and trauma response under fire. Master Sgt. Ashley Wells, who directed moulage operations to simulate injuries, emphasized the importance of realistic training aids. “It was really hard to train lifting litters with unrealistic weights or performing triage without visible injuries,” explained Wells. “This year, with moulage, we could create scenarios that mimic what you’d actually experience on the field.” Wells added that the addition of moulage enhanced training fidelity, ensuring participants were better prepared to manage the chaos of mass casualty incidents. Desert Hammer 2024: Tactical Combat Casualty Care – Training to Save Lives A 944th Fighter Wing U.S. Air Force Reserve Citizen Airman medical officer observes a tactical field environment at Auxiliary Airfield 6 near Gila Bend, Ariz., Nov. 14, 2024. Through joint and multinational collaboration, Desert Hammer tests the ability of over 700 participants and 131 aircraft to operate, defend, and sustain airbases under austere conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Dastas) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Desert Hammer 2024: Tactical Combat Casualty Care – Training to Save Lives 944th Fighter Wing U.S. Air Force Reserve Citizen Airmen and Arizona Army National Guard Soldiers simulate treating a fake critically injured working dog during Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1 at Auxiliary Field 6 near Gila Bend, Ariz., Nov. 16, 2024. This large-scale exercise showcases the adaptability of Mission Ready Airmen, advancing the skills needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving challenges of global competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Dastas) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Desert Hammer 2024: Tactical Combat Casualty Care – Training to Save Lives A 944th Fighter Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen provides simulated care for casualties during Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1 at Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Ariz., Nov. 14, 2024. This exercise emphasizes the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s commitment to readiness by integrating Agile Combat Support and Large Force Exercise capabilities in a contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Casey Staheli) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Among those on the front lines of medical readiness was Staff Sgt. Omar Robinson, a 944th Medical Squadron medic providing real-world medical support during the exercise. His role was pivotal, as he and his team stood ready to respond to injuries at a moment’s notice. “People were grateful we were there,” Robinson noted. “We’ve been told we’re much needed out here because we’re the only real-world medics on-site.” For Staff Sgt. Sara Weaver, a 944th Civil Engineering Squadron emergency management specialist, the exercise tested her ability to assess post-attack conditions. Wearing Mission-Oriented Protective Posture gear, Weaver conducted field tests to detect potential chemical agents while remaining vigilant for enemy threats. “If we have a chemical agent in the area, we may have to go through DECON [decontamination]. We bring a lot of equipment out, but we also minimize to essentials for mobility,” Weaver explained, emphasizing the exercise's dual focus on preparedness and adaptability. Another critical component was the integration of flight medics, such as Staff Sgt. Daniel Ippolito of the 944th MDS, who participated in air transport scenarios. Reflecting on his experience, Ippolito remarked, “It takes a lot more effort to do things you think you know how to do when you’re stumbling around trying not to fall.” Desert Hammer 2024: Tactical Combat Casualty Care – Training to Save Lives 944th Fighter Wing medical Airmen evaluate a training mannequin to practice life-saving techniques during Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1 at Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Ariz., Nov. 14, 2024. Through joint and multinational collaboration, Desert Hammer tests the ability of over 700 participants and 131 aircraft to operate, defend, and sustain airbases under austere conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Casey Staheli) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Desert Hammer 2024: Tactical Combat Casualty Care – Training to Save Lives 944th Fighter Wing U.S. Air Force Reserve Citizen Airmen and Arizona Army National Guard Soldiers lift a simulated casualty onto a stretcher during Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1 at Auxiliary Field 6 near Gila Bend, Ariz., Nov. 16, 2024. Through joint and multinational collaboration, Desert Hammer tests the ability of over 700 participants and 131 aircraft to operate, defend, and sustain airbases under austere conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Dastas) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Desert Hammer 2024: Tactical Combat Casualty Care – Training to Save Lives A 944th Fighter Wing U.S. Air Force Reserve Citizen Airmen provide simulated medical care to a casualty during Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1 at Auxiliary Airfield 6 near Gila Bend, Ariz., Nov. 14, 2024. Through joint and multinational collaboration, Desert Hammer tests the ability of over 700 participants and 131 aircraft to operate, defend, and sustain airbases under austere conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Dastas) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res He praised the controlled stress training, which bridged the gap between routine clinic work and high-pressure environments. “Flight medics can do way more than just tourniquets - they’re critical care flight paramedics with advanced skills,” he added. Desert Hammer 2024 was more than an exercise - it was a continuation of the 944th Fighter Wing’s dedication to forging combat-ready Airmen. From simulated triage under helicopter rotors to field-testing chemical detection kits, the exercise honed skills that could mean the difference between life and death in combat and humanitarian missions. Through its focus on cross-unit collaboration and realistic training scenarios, Desert Hammer 2024 highlighted the Air Force Reserve’s unwavering commitment to lifesaving preparedness. “This training is vital because we don’t know what the next conflict will bring. We just know we need to be ready,” said Mandy.