Military news 9/26/05

Navy airman assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron

Navy Airman Melissa L. Bull, daughter of Sandy K. and Kevin M. Schemel of Perryville, Mo., departed on a scheduled deployment while assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 87 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. Bull's squadron flies the F/A-18C Hornet, a single-seat, all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. Bull joined the Navy in July 2003.

Area Army serviceman returns from Mosul, Iraq

Army Spc. Justin C. Pratt has returned to Fort Lewis, Wa., after a 10-month deployment to Mosul, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is assigned to the 25th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team). Pratt is an NBC specialist with two years of military service. He is the son of Bob Pratt of Dexter, Mo., and Barbara Wicks of Holly Springs, Miss., the stepson of Oliver Wicks of Holly Springs, Miss., and the grandson of Beauford and Thelma Brown of Dexter. Pratt completed basic, advanced individual and specialized training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. in 2003. He is a 1996 graduate of Dexter High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University before joining the U.S. Army. Pratt currently resides in Tacoma, Wa., with his wife, Mary Christina (Manning) Pratt, formerly of Cape Girardeau.

Grieshop completes Air Force basic training

Air Force Cadet Kathleen M. Grieshop has completed Basic Cadet Training and earned the rank of cadet fourth class at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. Grieshop is the daughter of Theodore and Angela Grieshop of Jackson. She is a 2005 graduate of Jackson High School.

-- From staff reports