As Operation Alabama Black Belt drew to a close Thursday, state officials announced that more than 15,000 individuals were treated during the 10-day campaign in Hayneville, Selma and Demopolis.

Chris Masingill, federal co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority, said the number of individuals the National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve and Air Force personnel saw tripled the DRA’s expectations.

“This has been the most successful, most impactful [Innovative Readiness Training] mission since we started in 2009 because of the number of individuals that have been seen,” Masingill said. “It clearly has had a tremendous impact improving the lives of our communities and their health.”

Selma Mayor George Evans said he was overwhelmed by the success of the program and happy that Selma was made a part of it.

“There’s nothing that I’m aware of that has had as much impact in this city and Dallas County as this program,” Evans said. “I’m thankful, I’m grateful, I’m proud of what has happened and I’m looking forward to the future of this again and again and again because there are still a lot of people that need care.”

Throughout the campaign, various stations were set up at each location for patients to have their vision, teeth and blood pressure checked, along with other health issues they were having.

Mission commander Col. Jerry Arends, who oversaw all three sites involved with Operation Alabama Black Belt, estimated the campaign had saved patients more than $3 million in healthcare-related fees.

“If we confirmed anything on the mission, it’s that our military is prepared to respond to urgent calls for help from about anywhere at a moment’s notice,” Arends said. “This was a great mission for us in those regards of walking into a empty building and having a box of stuff and having to somehow transform that into an outpatient clinic that provided a standard of care to thousands of people and with only an afternoon to do it.”

Masingill, along with Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Director Jim Byard Jr., said all those affiliated with the campaign couldn’t help but walk away with admiration and thanks.

“We are blown away with the response and success that this program has had to provide a shot in the arm for the health of the Black Belt region of the Delta Regional Authority,” Masingill said. “This opportunity has proven that the need is very great, the need is still there and the issue of affordable, accessible healthcare is something that we must continue to address.”