Bravo Battery would like to welcome back PFC Francis. PFC Francis had to return home for a couple of months during the deployment in order to take care of his family. Upon completion of his family duties, PFC Francis requested to return to his unit in Iraq to continue the fight alongside his comrades. The battery is proud to welcome him back and we wish his family the best.

All enlisted soldiers in Bravo 5-5 ADA are still in the process of choosing another job, or MOS. Due to the ever-changing structure of the army, these soldiers are going to have to find new jobs and positions to better serve the United States Army. Upon returning to the states with the brigade, the soldiers will then PCS move to another duty station where they will begin working in their new MOS. Good luck to all of these soldiers and their families.

SPC Escoto and SGT Hurst were both injured during a firefight on MSR Michigan while the company was serving in Habbaniyah in May 2005. SPC Escoto had just returned from a previous injury less than a month prior to this one. They are both alright and are currently at Fort Carson recovering from their injuries. Both have requested to return to duty but unfortunately will not be allowed to. We wish them both a speedy recovery and we will see them in Colorado.

It is also with sorrow that we report the death of SSG Juan Garcia-Arana. On Saturday 30 April 2005, SSG Garcia was fatally wounded by a sniper attack. While SSG Garcia is not the first Bushwhacker lost during the deployment due to injury, he is the only death. SSG Garcia was the epitome of what a leader and NCO should be. He was memorialized at a fitting ceremony coordinated by the battalion at the Camp Habbaniyah Chapel, and was remembered by those who knew him so well. He will be missed and always loved. We send his family our condolences and prayers.