927th ARW Airmen Aid in Buffalo River Wellness Mission for Underserved Communities
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The 927th Air Refueling Wing participated in the Buffalo River Wellness Mission in Marshall, Arkansas, along with over 150 military medical professionals. They provided a range of no-cost healthcare services, including medical evaluations, prescription support, dental care, vision screenings, and behavioral health consultations, to underserved communities. This joint operation is part of the Department of War Innovative Readiness Training mission, aiming to improve community health and provide valuable training for military personnel.
927th ARW Airmen Join Military Medical Teams for Buffalo River Wellness Mission
Airmen from the 927th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) teamed with over 150 military medical professionals for the Buffalo River Wellness Mission in Marshall, Arkansas, from July 13–24, 2026. This initiative is part of the Department of War’s Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission, offering free healthcare services to underserved communities while enhancing military medical readiness.
The healthcare teams offered diverse services including medical evaluations, dental care, vision screenings, behavioral health consultations, and school sports physicals. The 927th ARW contributed a Medical Service Corps officer and a pharmacy technician to this mission, supporting community members in need.
“The 927th ARW’s unique role strengthens the unit’s ability to act as one integrated force,” stated Maj. Iris Morales, 927th ARW Logistics Officer. “Our combined leadership, operational coordination, and pharmaceutical expertise enhanced patient care, ensured team effectiveness, and contributed to the dual mission of the Buffalo Wellness IRT – improving community health while offering joint readiness training for military personnel.”
The Buffalo River Wellness Mission offered a mutually beneficial training environment, expanding healthcare access for locals while providing the Airmen with experience in treating a diverse patient population.
“A lot of my training comes from experiences like this, as we don’t perform pharmacy services on drill weekends,” Tech. Sgt. Jade Cupps, 927th Aeromedical Staging Squadron pharmacy technician, explained. “The gratefulness of the community for the services we offer is rewarding.”
Buffalo River Wellness provides Airmen the opportunity to apply their skills in real-world environments, maintain proficiency for future operations, and enhance partnerships with civilian organizations.
Morales emphasized, “IRT missions transform training into real-world experience. Airmen return with stronger technical skills, improved leadership, increased confidence, and experience in joint and multidisciplinary teams. They gain a renewed appreciation for their service, knowing their work directly improved community health while strengthening military readiness.”
The skills and experiences from Buffalo River Wellness will allow the 927th ARW Airmen to support ongoing training efforts at MacDill Air Force Base.
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