centurion scroll march newsletter (vol. 1, issue 7)
DESCRIPTION
March newsletter for Task Force Centurion PrimeTRANSCRIPT
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can do just about anything
anywhere.”
When you have so many
“moving parts” traveling in
different directions at different
times, the reliance on everyone
in the chain of command doing
his or her part is critical and
company leaders have to fight
the urge to keep too tight of a
grip
grip at the company CP.
“From the formation of Echo
Company my goal as first sergeant
has been to empower the junior
leaders of our company,” said Easy
1st Sgt. Daniel Blair. “It was also
one of our greatest challenges.
Through the mentorship program
the junior leaders of Echo
Company have stepped up to the
challenges and kept our company
operating as a professional and
above-standard unit.”
If you look for “Echo Company,
1st of the 167
th Infantry” back in
Alabama, you won’t find it. That’s
because the unit along with Foxtrot
Company were created so the
battalion could be best structured
for the Afghanistan mission.
The unit was created primarily
out of Soldiers from Headquarters
and Headquarters Company in
Talladega and the Forward Support
Company in Oxford – with a few
other Soldiers from other units
rounding out the formation.
It’s a hodgepodge that quickly
gelled. The unit excelled during its
mobilization training at the Camp
Shelby Joint Forces Training
Center and has had an impressive
SEE EASY PAGE TWO
If only it was that easy for Easy! MAZAR-E-SHARIF,
Afghanistan – Don’t let their
name fool you. From their
creation through a complex and
robust deployment, nothing has
been effortless for Task Force
Centurion Prime’s Easy (Echo
Company).
They just make it look easy.
Easy is split into two entities,
with its headquarters, a
movement platoon and Guardian
Angels operating out of Camp
Mike Spann and another platoon
in FOB Kunduz conducting
similar operations.
Together, they provide the
security force for NATO
Training Mission-Afghanistan in
Regional Support Command-
North. The Soldiers there have to
cover a lot of ground and
maintain a steady operation
tempo.
“The secret to our success is
timeless and simple: We have
great corporals, sergeants, and
lieutenants,” said Capt. Sherrad
Hayes, Easy commander. “Our
leaders are dedicated to the
mission and especially to the
outstanding Soldiers they serve.
When you match good junior
leaders with some truly
exceptional Soldiers, a company
can
Task Force Centurion Prime’s Easy
(Echo Co.) is commanded by Capt.
Sherrad Hayes (center), 1st Sgt.
Daniel Blair, and 1st Lt. Morrecus
Foster, executive officer. They are
standing in front of a memorial to
Mike Spann.
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run in Afghanistan. Its superb work
with the Special Inspector General
for Afghanistan Reconstruction
garnered the enter battalion accolades
from SIGAR and made the “Fourth
Alabama” the preferred organization
for SIGAR missions throughout
Afghanistan.
“Headquarters Platoon has
overcome many obstacles since we
first arrived at Camp Shelby, Miss.,
and even more when we got on the
ground at Camp Mike Spann,
Afghanistan,” said Sgt. Jamie
Johnson, headquarters platoon
sergeant. “This has been the most
challenging time of my life. And I
think I can speak for everyone in
Headquarters Platoon when I say it
has been hard on all of us.”
For the platoon at Kunduz, there was
a sense of being removed from the
rest of Easy.
“We have completed our mission due
to the fact our soldiers have grown
and learned a lot,” said Staff Sgt.
Jonathan Thompson, platoon sergeant
at Kunduz.
EASY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE
The platoons of Task Force Centurion Prime’s Easy (Echo Co.) are
based at Camp Mike Spann (above) and FOB Kunduz (below).
Sgt. Jackson said the mission load has required everyone to meet
the challenges head-on.
“We as a platoon have been challenged beyond our expectations
during this deployment,” he said.
As Easy’s successes mount, so does the pride.
“The dedication of these men and women to complete the
mission no matter what, has impressed me on a level that I cannot
put into words,” Sgt. Jackson said.
“I am proud to be the first sergeant of Echo Company, 1st of the
167th
Infantry, the ‘4th Alabama,’ and would like to say ‘thanks’ to
all the junior leaders of this company for a job well done,” 1st Sgt.
Blair said.
Like I said, they just make it look easy.
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Soldiers, families and friends of Task Force Centurion Prime,
It feels like springtime in Kabul as I write this month! I have always said that I love living in
Alabama for many reasons, one of which is the warm weather, so sunny days here with high
temperatures over 60 degrees is a welcome surprise. An even brighter aspect to this month is all of the
preparations underway to receive our replacement unit and prepare for our return to the Heart of Dixie.
Many of our key leaders will meet later this month for a planning conference to ensure we are
prepared for the incoming battalion and the transferring of this mission. Also on the agenda will be a
detailed review of our re-deployment process and what to expect over the next few months. I would like
to share some important events in the coming months with all of you now, but keep in mind that all dates
are approximate. More importantly, remember that the needs of the Army could easily change these
plans completely!
Currently, it looks like we will arrive in Gulfport between May 10th and the 12
th. That should make
for a terrific Mother’s Day for the entire Fourth Alabama family! Of course, we will return in several
flights over a two or three day period much like our departure. We have been told by Camp Shelby that
our out processing there will take 12 days due to the large size of our battalion and the numerous
requirements. MAJ Hare and MAJ Tomberlin are already working creatively to minimize the time we
must spend there. Also rest assured that once we leave Afghanistan, my primary mission is to get our
Soldiers back to their families as quickly as possible while accomplishing all the necessary actions. One
big question that remains is what restrictions the command at Camp Shelby will place on our family
contact while we are there and my staff is working on that answer now. Many more details will follow
about that and we will put it out through the FRG channels.
If you already worked the math, you realize that our Companies should be arriving at their Armories
around the 22nd
through the 24th of May. All Soldiers must leave Camp Shelby on a bus and report to
their Armory where you can expect to have your Welcome Home Ceremony. Unfortunately, there will
be some requirements to account for and secure equipment after the ceremony. We may need the
Soldiers to return to the Armory the following day to complete these tasks, but I am making every effort
to avoid this extra day! The current plan is for HHC, E, and F Companies to have a combined Welcome
Home Ceremony at the Talladega Speedway due to the renovation of our Talladega Armory and there
will be more information when this plan is confirmed.
Remember, the Army can change all of these plans as the mission requires!
And finally, I ask that those of you at home help our leaders keep the Soldiers focused on their
mission! Please continue to take care of the issues at home while freeing your Soldier to maintain their
attention on the threats and the risks they face here.
May God continue to bless and protect the Fourth Alabama; We Shall Drive Forward!
J. R. Bass
Lt. Col. J.R. Bass
Commander
Task Force
Centurion prime
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Csm John black
Command
sergeant major
Task Force
Centurion prime
Well here we are looking at the middle of March and the arrival of spring. What else are we looking
forward to? Setting our clocks forward, the first yard mowing, Easter or Spring Break? All of these
events are getting closer and mostly irrelevant here in Afghanistan excluding Easter of course. The
event we’ve been discussing since departure is our arrival back home in a couple of months. Surely
you are ready as I.
A previous article mentioned planning and preparation for redeployment. We are now early in the
execution phase, meaning that we have packed nonessential items away and they are ready for
shipping. This process will continue until everything and everybody has left for home.
I was checking out www.militaryonesource.com recently. There are two pamphlets on the site
entitled “Coming Home,” one for the Soldier and one for the family. They are both sensible, easy to
read papers with tips about homecoming and the reintegration of the family. I would ask that you have
a look at them soon in preparation of our reunion.
The reminders I offer on the subject of “Family Reunions” and redeployment are not aimed at
frightening you. The intent is to assist in the event being less awkward. There is a certainty that Family
Readiness Groups have covered down on this subject and shared their previous experiences with those
who have not walked this path before and as a reminder for those who have. Don’t expect raging
monsters of us and we won’t of you.
Again, we have all grown or changed in some small way since our last time together.
The April newsletter will not contain this type of format or information. This is my last attempt to
remind you that your Soldier has changed and that you have likely changed also. Be prepared for a
slow, deliberate and beautiful reunification. Thank you all for your continued support.
4th
ALABAMA!
CSM John Black
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Cpt Robert jackson
chaplain
Task Force
Centurion prime
Deployment reminds me of Lent and Easter. I can think of no better time for Easter to come than at this
point in the deployment. As a Christian Chaplain I must say that I prefer the term "Resurrection Sunday" but for
simplicity I will use the term Easter. Either way you know what I mean. It is the time of year when Christians
celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Even though I am not from a
liturgical background I love the season of Lent. This is the time leading up to Easter, the time we are in now. Lent
represents the 40 days that Christ spent in the wilderness before he began his ministry that ends on Easter. This is a
time that reminds of what it is like to wander in the desert – a time of loneliness, of struggle, of thirst. But it is a
time ended in celebration. So even though the desert can be a bad place to be in, it is also a place where one grows
stronger and wiser. It is often in the desert of life that God teaches us our greatest lessons. And also it strengthens
our faith to remember that the time in the desert ends with hope – the hope of the Resurrection. In many ways the
events that will soon be taking place in the "4th Alabama" remind me of the things I love about Lent and Easter.
We are getting close the end of our time in the desert, and our family's time in their own desert. Soon there will be
rejoicing. Many of you reading this would agree that this has not been the most pleasant time in your life. But you
could also agree that in many ways all of us have grown. When your loved ones return you will see they have
changed, but not necessarily for the bad. Soldiers, I hope that you will also see how your family members have
grown and learned things about themselves they never knew possible. And when this season is over do this:
Celebrate! This is how deployment reminds me of Lent and Easter.
Serving Those Who Serve,
Your Chaplain
CH CPT Robert Jackson
Luke 24:6 "He is not here, but has risen..."
PPOOSSTT--DDEEPPLLOOYYMMEENNTT
YYEELLLLOOWW RRIIBBBBOONN
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Yellow Ribbon II: August 10-11
Birmingham Sheraton Hotel
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DON’T FORGET TO SPRING FORWARD
MARCH 10 (U.S. only) HAPPY EASTER!
HE IS RISEN!