AFA Supports 5K at Dobbins ARB to Support Health Among Reservists
May 22, 2026
Members of the 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Ga., rallied to raise awareness for physical and mental well-being among Reserve Airmen, by running in the 10th Annual Falcon 5K Run on May 2. AFA’s East Georgia Chapter and AFA’s United Forces & Families program helped supercharge the race, which kicked off the Air Force Reserve’s Mental and Physical Health Awareness Fair. The annual event is organized by Dobbins Care Campus, an on-base initiative and food pantry which operates in conjunction with the base’s Military and Family Readiness Program — to which AFA is a natural partner.
Facilitated by the East Georgia Chapter, AFA’s sponsorship made the planning and impactful programming possible, bringing hundreds of service members, families, veterans and community partners together for a day of running, resource-sharing and connection. Beneath a towering American flag, the hangar hummed with activity from volunteers — from a bustling sign‑up table with T‑shirts, medals, and trophies, to a separate table heaped with bananas for the runners.
More than 140 participants ran the 5K on race day, which had 450 Dobbins civilian and military personnel and family members in attendance. Fourteen-year-old Joshua DeVoile claimed the overall first-place finish with a time of 19:59.
AFA’s United Forces & Families program provided affirmation cards for the East Georgia Chapter to display on their table in the vendor area, which were well received: one attendee collected several cards to send to her deployed son, and a mental health provider collected cards to share with clients who were going through difficult times.
East Georgia Chapter President Laurie Orth, and her husband Chapter Vice President John Orth, staffed an AFA information table to engage with attendees.
“This was a joyful, high-impact community event,” Laurie Orth said. “Base personnel and their families spent time together while learning about mental and physical health resources.”
“The vendor fair made services accessible and visible, connecting participants with practical support ranging from mental-health counseling to chiropractic adjustments and health screenings,” said John Orth.
Day-to-day support for Airmen, Guardians, and their Families is central to AFA’s mission — and the partnership between Dobbins Care Campus, AFA’s United Forces & Families, and East Georgia AFA exemplified that commitment, ensuring members could participate, access resources, and feel the community’s care.
The 94th Airlift Wing, based at Dobbins, plays a vital role in supporting the U.S. Air Force by providing combat-ready Airmen for global missions and humanitarian efforts, including airlift and aeromedical evacuation operations. The wing is composed of more than 2,000 members who travel to Dobbins ARB from across more than 40 states.