RENO, NV - A Nevada Army Guard Chinook unit, which lost five people in Afghanistan in '05, is preparing to re-deploy to the country.

The company will first go to Fort Hood, Texas later this month then to Afghanistan. Some members of the company were serving in Afghanistan when a Chinook helicopter this was shot down during the original deployment. Chief Warrant Officer John Flynn and Sgt. Patrick Stewart from the Nevada Army Guard, along with three Oregon soldiers, were killed.

"It's a soldier's duty to do the mission when you're called up there's no discrimination you're just part of the unit," Sgt. First Class Don Gable said. Gable was part of the earlier deployment.

Soldiers said they continue to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. One said they leave amid a greater public awareness of the dangers in Afghanistan compared with a few years ago.

"I think last time Iraq was the main focus and not many people knew what was going on in Afghanistan," Sgt. First Class Pano Rodarte said.

With a new mission comes a new name, Bravo Company, the 1-189th General Support Aviation Battalion.
Flight engineers, flight aviators and mechanics are among those heading to Afghanistan.