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with its multiple taskings

between NTM-A and its own

task force can make it difficult

to try to do it all.

At any given time, Spartan may

be asked to transport a general

to a high-level meeting in

Kabul or get a State Department

official to the airport. Or they

could, like recently, provide

transportation and security for

an event for the Boy Scouts of

Afghanistan.

The key is being flexible and

ready, according to Capt. Erin

Daher, Spartan commander.

Capt. Daher said the

operations are the result of

careful planning and rehearsals

by the squad and platoon

leaders, enabling Spartan to

handle multiple and diverse

missions, often at a moment’s

notice.

Capt. Daher took command

of Spartan in October after

previous commander, Capt.

Scott Widner, moved to a

position on the battalion’s staff

SEE SPARTAN PAGE TWO

Spartan holds key mission in Afghan capital

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan –

Sometimes the hardest place to be

is close to the flagpole.

That’s Army speak for “right

under the nose of the higher

command.” Usually the complaint

has to do with silly rules close to

the flagpole like having to wear

your reflective belt at unusual

times or places or the need to wear

your eye protection if you’re

walking to the latrine.

But for Task Force Centurion

Prime’s Spartan (Bravo Co.), the

flagpoles for NATO Training

Mission-Afghanistan are literally

right outside their door in the

Afghanistan capital of Kabul.

NTM-A is the higher command for

Task Force Centurion Prime as

part of Operation Enduring

Freedom. The company has the

very important mission of securely

transporting some very important

people and for that it needs to be

“close to the flagpole.”

Add to that its proximity to its own

task force headquarters at Camp

Phoenix a few miles away, and it’s

no surprise that Spartan finds itself

the busiest company in the

battalion.

“Bravo Co. has displayed great

resiliency by successfully adapting

to a difficult mission set,” 1st Sgt.

Stephen Prior, Spartan’s top

ranking NCO, said. He added that

the challenges of operating in and

around the nation’s capital coupled

Task Force

Centurion

Prime’s

Spartan

(Bravo Co.) is

commanded

by Capt. Erin

Daher (left)

and 1st Sgt.

Stephen Prior

(right).

2

after commanding Bravo Co. for more than

three years. Widner’s command included

guiding the company through a rotation at the

National Training Center in California, multiple

deployment-oriented drill weekends, validation

annual training, mobilization training and the

early part of the deployment itself.

“Bravo Co., while at NTC, was selected to be

the decisive operation during full spectrum

operations,” Capt. Widner said. “The Soldiers

conducted FSO in the town of Eterbat Shar

during its successful NTC rotation. The soldiers

of Bravo are always willing to go the extra mile

in order to accomplish the mission.”

While at mobilization training, Capt. Widner

noted that it had three soldiers (Staff Sgt. Pharr,

Spc. Webb and Spc. Watson) score a perfect

1,000 points on the mounted gunnery range. The

three were awarded Army Achievement Medals

for the performance, but Capt. Widner said it is

typical of the professionalism and desire of each

soldier to always strive to do their best.

“B Co. is without a doubt the best company in

the battalion,” Capt. Widner said in his

admittedly biased assessment.

SPARTAN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

Task Force Centurion Prime’s Spartan

(Bravo Co.) has dozens of soldiers

operating in the Afghanistan capital.

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Soldiers, families and friends of Task Force Centurion Prime,

Since we are firmly in the midst of the holiday season, it is no doubt that this will

seem the most difficult time of our deployment. After hearing of family gatherings and

special events back home, the days do feel longer and at times for us, the spirits a little

lower. For our families, the challenges to enjoy the season are equally present because no

matter which side of the ocean you are on, this time of year is best when spent together.

Although our expectations must be lowered this holiday season, I would like to

offer a few thoughts for both families and Soldiers that may help put things in perspective.

First, we can all agree that the sadness and sacrifice we are feeling more than ever now is

actually the price we must bear in our “Service to the Nation.” We can also feel the

satisfaction of knowing we have answered the call to serve our country which less than 1

percent of our citizens will heed. While we are without the closeness of family this year,

we do share the richness of the deep bond that only forms through serving side by side

under extreme challenge. And finally, without our sacrifice and that of all who have served

here since September 11, 2001, I fear what life might be like in our Nation right now.

So as the snow creeps down these mountains in Afghanistan and the Christmas

trees go up back home, my prayer is that the true joy of Christmas is still experienced by

all of the Fourth Alabama family!

May we all have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Drive Forward,

J. R. Bass

Lt. Col. J.R. Bass

Commander

Task Force

Centurion prime

10

Csm John black

Command

sergeant major

Task Force

Centurion prime

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to

such as these.” – Luke 18:16

I reckon children affect me more than any other creature on Earth. They are a mixed bag of

wisdom, trust, love, playfulness and mischief. They really get the best of me and like many people,

especially this time of year. The love and hope they share is unconditional and truly heartfelt. Their

forgiveness is unending, much like a faithful dog until adults and peers teach them differently.

No matter where I have been in the world, I usually see a child who reminds me of one that I

know from the United States. I would attribute this to the multiculturalism that has occurred since the

beginning of time. I’ll never forget back in 2007 the feeling that hit me in the stomach when I saw a

young Iraqi girl just outside of FOB Cedar in Southern Iraq. I thought for a second that she was my

niece Abigail (her name is Natalie). The resemblance was astounding. The next time I went through

there I had my Gunner toss a Barbie Doll to her.

The children in the villages here in Afghanistan are of the same mold. As we drive by they

typically wave or give us thumbs up. A few of them know other gestures that I am not quite sure how

they learned. Just like children back home they are curious about people in uniform and different

vehicles whether it be a police officer, fireman or Soldier. Like our children, their lives and behavior are

molded by adults. They behave as they are taught.

I assure you there is nothing back in Alabama I miss more than my daughters Haleigh and

Elizabeth. I have learned more from them than any school or class I have ever attended. I think of them

constantly and I see a little of them each day in young female Soldiers and the children of Afghanistan.

Speaking of young Soldiers, I was craving blackberries the other day and I asked one of the Soldiers if

she likes blackberries and she said, “No Sergeant Major, I have an iPhone”. Open your arms to a

blessing; hug a child today “for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

4th

ALABAMA!

CSM John Black

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Cpt Robert jackson

chaplain

Task Force

Centurion prime

How does deployment remind me of Christmas? This is a difficult time of year for our soldiers and

families. The traditions that we are used to are given up and sacrifices are made. For some of our families this is

the first time they have had to be a part. But how can we redeem this time and see the wonder of Christmas

through the lens of the deployment? We use this experience to remind us what Christmas means. Christmas is

about giving. It's about God sending His Son to Earth. It's the story of the Son who was obedient to leave his

home in heaven in order to rescue mankind. To bring freedom to those in bondage. To bring light to a dark world.

The soldier's story reflects Christ's story. Willingly leaving the comfort of home in order to serve others. Leaving

behind what we love in order to bring freedom. While I admit that nothing can compare to what God did for us in

sending His son that Christmas morning, I believe that the hope for finding joy during this time is to use our story

to remind us of the Greatest Story. To look at our experience and be reminded of the sacrifice made by one on

behalf of another. May the Lord watch over us all during this season. May God bless you and all your families

during this time. May your holiday be filled with joy!

Serving Those Who Serve,

Your Chaplain

CH CPT Robert Jackson

"...Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that

will be for all the people."- Luke 2:10

From all of the soldiers of the 1st of the 167th Infantry Battalion, we hope all of our families and friends have a merry Christmas and we pray the difficulties of the holidays apart are softened to the greatest extent possible. We all look forward to a happy reunion!

Task Force Centurion Prime is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaskForceCenturion

To make a submission, email the PAO at: michael.s.tomberlin@afghan.swa.army.mil

MMEERRRRYY CCHHRRIISSTTMMAASS AANNDD HHAAPPPPYY HHOOLLIIDDAAYYSS!!