CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. -- Spiritual resilience stands as a vital pillar for many service members, strengthened by the devoted resiliency teams across the Department of Defense. At the heart of this effort are religious affairs personnel, whose careers are dedicated to ensuring service members receive the support they need to remain grounded and strong.
During Northern Strike 25-2, hosted at Camp Grayling, Michigan, in August, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations had the opportunity to send AFMAO senior chaplain U.S. Air Force Maj. Ben Quintanilla to be a part of the Chaplain Corps at the exercise.
Northern Strike is a National Guard Bureau sponsored, multi-component, multinational exercise designed to build readiness and enhance interoperability with allied forces to fight and win. Northern Strike 25-2, was held Aug. 2-16, 2025 and featured approximately 7,500 participants.
Quintanilla explains the importance of having a presence there.
“Most of our care for our Airmen and our Guardians are on a base, Northern Strike gave us an exposure to providing care outside of that,” he explained. “In a large-scale combat operation, we can go out to minister to people where they are located, rather than a base installation. The Air Force chaplain corps guiding vision is ‘every warfighter spiritually fit and ready.’ We not only provide that, but we are living it out and preparing ourselves so that we can better understand those that we're ministering to.”
The Air Force Mortuary Affairs team built and operated the exercise’s first expeditionary mortuary, working alongside joint partners to train and learn how to do mortuary practices in a contested environment.
With the exposure to donated cadavers at the exercise, having spiritual resilience was relevant more than ever. The Chaplain team also showcased a prototype of a “Care for the Dead and Dying kit” which is a new prototype meant to represent multiple religions that require burial rights after death. The kit would include materials and items specific to these faiths, such as basil leaves, candles, and shrouds so that even in field environments the greatest possible respect can be given to the fallen.
The team consisted of multiple religious support personnel from different branches and faith groups. The exercise also hosted sermons from other nations and faiths, and were able to present their capabilities to the Joint Fatality Management Working Group.
Quintanilla explained the impact of working jointly. “We're learning from each other, and we're being exposed to how others operate. This is a positive opportunity for us to grow. Doing it here in Northern Strike has just been a blessing and a benefit. I hope that we get to continue to grow and learn each other's culture, and work together so that we're able to care for all of our people.”
The hard work and care given by the team members did not go unnoticed at the exercise. The passion for work and mortuary on display was felt by all participating parties, however this unique mission does come with a heavy weight. Conversations about death and about loss are difficult, but essential to have when involving mortuary affairs. Chaplaincy finds itself at the core of these conversations, allowing service members to have an established outlet for them to plug into. In moments like these, the chaplain’s team presence is able to provide strength and compassion while reminding participants of their sacred responsibility within their roles.
“I’ve been moved and inspired by the passion you see from everyone here leading in their respective specialty, whether it’s mortuary care, embalming, or chaplaincy,” said Quintanilla. “There’s so much thought and dedication being poured into this, and it’s powerful to see that we live in a country where people are committed to honoring and respecting our fallen, even in battles we cannot yet foresee. Witnessing that passion is truly inspiring, and it makes me proud as an American and proud as an Airman.”