CLARKSDALE, Miss. – An Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) will be held in North Central Arkansas July 16-24, offering no-cost wellness services to residents and neighbors of Marshall, Arkansas.
Hosted by the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the U.S. Department of War, the 2026 Buffalo River IRT Wellness Mission will provide basic medical, dental, optometry, school sports physicals, and behavioral health services – at no cost – to residents of Marshall and nearby communities. The event will be held at Marshall High School at 950 Highway 65 N., from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Services will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis; no income or residency requirements necessary.
“The Delta Regional Authority is thankful for our ongoing partnership with the Department of War in helping bring much-needed care to our Delta communities,” said Christina Wooden, DRA Health Programs Manager. “We are looking forward to providing accessible care to the residents of northern Arkansas and surrounding areas.”
The 2026 Buffalo River IRT Wellness Mission is a collaborative effort delivered by the DRA, U.S. Air Force Reserve, U.S. Air Force National Guard and Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District (NWAEDD). This mission is designed to provide key health care services to underserved communities while simultaneously serving as a military training opportunity for deployment readiness.
“This partnership is a great opportunity to provide no-cost medical, dental, optometry and behavioral health services for the community while providing real-world training for our medical professionals,” said Capt. Kelvin Hanson, Buffalo River Wellness IRT Training Officer in Charge. “This is truly a win-win for the Air Force and our community partners.”
By utilizing their extensive resources, the Air Force will be able to meet some of the region’s most urgent health care needs right in North Central Arkansas. Some of the services to be provided during the IRT mission include vision and wellness exams, issuance of single lens glasses, dental exams and extractions, as well as school sports physicals.
“Our partnership with the Delta Regional Authority and the Department of War—to bring these much-needed services to our communities—is a tremendous opportunity for our residents and neighbors to get the medical, dental and optometry services they may forgo just feed their families,” said Tina Cole, NWAEDD Community Development Coordinator. “The community of Marshall, Arkansas and its surrounding area very much appreciates this opportunity for services.”
For more information about Innovative Readiness Training, visit IRT.defense.gov.
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