He deployed to Iraq with Bravo Btry, 5/113th FAR to Balad, Iraq. Upon arrival he was assigned as a Designated Marksman on Overwatch Detail carrying an XM107 Barrett Sniper Rifle. On March 23rd, 2006 in the early hours of the morning, his life would change forever, a mortar impacted near him, briefly knocking him unconscious, and (unknown at the time) causing permanent brain damage. Upon returning home, SGT(R) Lubecky started experiencing nightmares and flashbacks. He developed crippling PTSD which was complicated by his head trauma.