A Recap of the Inaugural F.I.R.E. 5K: A Spectacular Event

Kickstarting a New Tradition

F.I.R.E. 5K 2026
Hosted by the Female Defender Initiative—now F.I.R.E.—this inaugural 5K brought together squadron members and their families for a morning rooted in connection, movement, and shared purpose. Runners, walkers, and ruckers all showed up in their own way, supporting one another from start to finish.

Top finishers set the pace, with SrA Finkley earning Fastest Male and Lt Smith earning Fastest Female.

Team competition brought the energy, with K9 Section taking 1st place, followed by S1 in 2nd and S5 in 3rd.

The creativity showed up just as strong as the competition. The Kitchenettes (SSgt Rae Leap, SSgt Jacob Leap, SSgt Coquillette, and SSgt Blackwell) earned Best Dressed Team, while SSgt “Goose” Villalba Cunha took Best Dressed Individual.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, supported, and made this event what it was. Your presence, energy, and willingness to be part of something bigger are what made the day a success. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to bring the community together at future events. More than just an event, the F.I.R.E. 5K marked the start of something bigger—a community built on strength, resilience, and showing up for each other.