1

from pretty much every

company in the battalion,” said

HeadHunter 1st Sgt. Randy

Folsom. “It was a little painful

at first until we got everybody

where they were going to be.

But we had good leadership at

the platoon level and it was

obvious the soldiers really

wanted to do well. It really

became a cohesive unit. They

did turn into a family.”

For the deployment,

HeadHunter had one of the most

HeadHunter had one of the most

active and diverse set of

missions among the “Fourth

Alabama” units of the 167th

.

The company‟s responsibilities

included providing personal

security and maneuver in

support of NATO Training

Mission-Afghanistan, to include

key leaders, trainers, advisors

and inspectors. It also conducted

a regular “gun run” of critical

logistics security support for the

Afghan National Security

Forces.

HHC operated out of a

forward operating base in

Kabul, Afghanistan, where it

conducted more than 1,500

missions, safely moved

approximately 5,000 personnel

and traveled more than 24,000

challenging miles. Of the more

than 110 men and women

assigned to HHC, 27 soldiers

earned the Combat Infantryman

Badge and around a dozen

soldiers the Combat Action

Badge for enemy contact during

the deployment.

“I think when we first built

SEE HEADHUNTER

PAGE TWO

HeadHunter evolves into tight-knit family KABUL, Afghanistan – It

would seem fitting that the 1st

of the 167th

‟s Headquarters and

Headquarters Company (HHC)

would choose the name

“HeadHunter” as its call sign.

After all, a company that

includes its own various

assortments of specialty

platoons and sections and

capped with the battalion

headquarters and its staff and

can have the leadership losing

its own head.

But a company that is

supposed to be splintered by

design found remarkable

resilience and unity during this

nine-month deployment to

Afghanistan, according to its

company leadership.

“I have seen this unit

become a family. They look out

for each other. The soldiers

have each other‟s backs, the

platoons have each other‟s

backs,” said Capt. Dwain

Hinman, HeadHunter Company

commander.

HeadHunter even had reason

to be more divided than most

HHCs because of the way it

was put together prior to

deployment.

“We pulled people together

from pretty much every

company in the battalion,” said

HeadHunter 1st Sgt. Randy

Task Force Centurion Prime’s

HeadHunter (HHC) is commanded

by Capt. Dwain Hinman (left) and

1st Sgt. Randy Folsom.

2

this company, it was seen as more of a support company and, due to the mission, it evolved into

something else,” Capt. Hinman said.

1st Sgt. Folsom said those platoons conducting the “guardian angel” and security movement missions

could not have done so without the superb support from the company support sections. He said the

battalion staff sections were also a big help to the company in many respects – a welcome alternative to

staff sections that sometimes become an added burden to the companies they belong to.

“We honestly could not have done all that we did without everyone‟s contribution across the board,”

he said.

That is often the case when you‟re dealing with family.

HEADHUNTER

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

More than 100 soldiers made up HHC during the deployment to Afghanistan, where they conducted guardian

angel and security movement missions in support of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan in the Afghan capital.

KABUL, Afghanistan – The Alabama National

Guard‟s 1st of the 167

th Infantry Battalion, the

“Fourth Alabama,” cased its colors May 1, 2013,

signifying the end of its operations in support of

Operation Enduring Freedom. In a ceremony, the

“Fourth Alabama” passed the mission to Guam‟s 1st

of the 294th

in support of NATO Training Mission-

Afghanistan.

“The successful completion of this mission is a

historical event for the „Fourth Alabama,‟” said Lt.

Col. J.R. Bass, commander of the 1st of the 167

th.

“Each soldier and family member of this battalion

should feel tremendous pride in this achievement.

Not since World War II have our battalion colors

stood on foreign soil and we each are deeply proud

to have played a part in this deployment.”

„Fourth Alabama‟ ends historic Afghan mission

Lt. Col. J.R. Bass, left, commander of the 1st of

the 167th Infantry, cases the battalion colors

with Command Sgt. Maj. John Black

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5

6

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Soldiers, families and friends of Task Force Centurion Prime,

As I begin writing this final newsletter article, we are somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean and our Boeing

747 will be landing in Gulfport in just a few hours. Like every other member of the Battalion, my family and I

are preparing for the transition period as we adjust to a normal way of life together again. Cyndi, John Allen,

and I realize that the change will take place gradually over several months and I am thankful that we will be

receiving information to help us guard against unrealistic expectations. My advice to both family members

and Soldiers is to be strong enough to reach out for help as you go through this very demanding event.

Over the last few weeks, as we prepared to turn over the mission and bring everyone home, Command

Sergeant Major Black and I have discussed the accomplishments of these Soldiers. Let me just say, the

“Fourth Alabama” has left quite an impressive legacy across Afghanistan. Even as we were preparing to

board our plane to leave Kabul, a U.S. Air Force Major came over and praised the professionalism of our

Soldiers and the protection they had provided his team. Those same types of comments came to me almost

daily from every Regional Support Command about Soldiers from every Company and Platoon.

In sports, we measure success with numbers, and there are plenty of numbers that apply to our service in

Afghanistan. With over 12,000 security missions accomplished, we have set a new precedence that even Task

Force Guam‟s Commander admitted to me will be difficult to match. More important than the number of

missions is the fact that we traveled over 140,000 miles while moving 42,000 advisors who trained the

Afghan National Security Forces so that they can provide a secure future for their citizens. However, the most

important number to mark our time in Afghanistan is zero, because no one who was under our protection was

lost during this mission and all 600 “Fourth Alabama” Soldiers are returning home to their families. This is a

definite result of the prayers that were lifted up and the blessings that He poured down on us.

I have delayed completing this article so that I can include the latest information regarding our return to

Alabama. Today is May 13th and we just received confirmation from the Camp Shelby staff to plan on

returning to our armories next Monday, May 20th

. Major Tomberlin will post the exact times and locations for

each company on the final page of this newsletter. This is one day earlier than we were expecting and we

welcome the change. We must ensure each Soldier completes every requirement by Sunday to allow our

Monday departure so there will be no other passes for the Soldiers and I ask that families stay at home and

prepare for our return.

Although we are returning to our individual lives both as Soldiers and families, the experiences of this

deployment will continue to shape us in many ways. One significant impact on each of us is the bond we will

always feel having completed this accomplishment together. Now, when one of us is in need, you are

expected to call upon those friends and leaders that you relied on during this challenge. The enemy that we

trained to fight is now 7,000 miles away but the new enemy we face has names like depression, suicide, and

PTSD, among others. The Soldiers and family members of our Battalion must continue to work together to

fight these new threats as successfully as we overcame attacks in Afghanistan.

As we enter this joyful but also challenging transition, 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

10

Csm John black

Command sergeant major

Task Force Centurion prime

Hello and thank you, or in the words of our new comrades from Task Force Guam, “Hafa adai Si

yu‟us ma‟ase.” Please allow me to take this opportunity to thank Lt. Col. Tougher, Command Sgt. Maj.

Hennegan and all of Task Force Guam for a good Relief in Place and Transfer of Authority. I wish

them well and Godspeed with their mission and Christ‟s peace to their families.

There are many people to whom I owe a great deal of gratitude. First and foremost is our Chaplain,

Capt. Rob Jackson, who has been a dear friend to me and all the Soldiers and families of the 167th

Infantry as well as the many friends he made in Afghanistan. He is a true liaison for God and a great

conduit for His word. The countless hours of coffee and conversation in my office were priceless and

lessons I will honor unto my death.

Secondly, my thanks goes out to Lt. Col. J.R. Bass for being a solid leader and always open to

advice from his staff and myself in his decision making process. It was not meant for us to always

agree but to conclude and drive on. I believe that occurred successfully more times than not. It is a

privilege to serve with you, sir.

This mobilization could not have been as manageable without the support and peace of mind we

were given by the families and members of the Family Support Groups. Your efforts and support as

well as from each community were truly felt among us and had a significant impact on reducing the

stress and anxiety that often come with combat tours. Every bit of kindness and generosity from each

family member, church, school or organization was sincerely appreciated. I love you all from the

bottom of my heart.

I offer a special thanks to Maj. Mike Tomberlin for his truly countless hours of work in many

capacities. I‟ve never met a more passionate “Bama” fan and I thoroughly enjoyed watching football

games with him this season. A great credit to him for his many writings that kept the whole world in

touch with the “Fourth Alabama” and putting the Soldiers‟ faces and messages out there for everyone.

Lastly I will offer my utmost gratitude to the wonderful Soldiers who have carried the lineage of the

167th

Infantry through the current chapter of our history. To the first sergeants, Soldiers and leaders; I

am honored and humbled to be a part of this organization and to stand among you as the Command

Sergeant Major of the 167th

Infantry Regiment.

FOURTH ALABAMA!

CSM John Black

11

A “Fourth Alabama” edition of the Battle Mug is

being offered for $150, nearly half the retail price,

to mark the 1st of the 167

th Infantry‟s OEF

deployment. It comes with an M16 handle and rails

that can be tricked out the same as a weapon‟s rails.

Contact your company rep or Maj. Tomberlin at

michael.s.tomberlin.mil@mail.mil before 18 May

to reserve your Battle Mug.

000

Cpt Robert jackson

chaplain

Task Force Centurion prime

As the deployment ends I am reminded of what Brig. Gen. Hall, here at camp Phoenix, said to us Chaplains at a

recent gathering. He said “end with honor.” This Battalion has done a great job! God's grace has been evident

many times, and I hope that you have felt his sustaining hand upon you. As I look back on the past nine months I

can't help but thank my Lord and Savior for his mercy. There is no doubt that by God's mercy we can return home

to our loved ones, proud of the work that has been done. You can carry a satisfaction that does not come through

accolades, or the applause of others, but simply comes from within, knowing you did your best – that you served a

cause greater than yourself. The mission is complete and it has been handed to Guam, but there is still one more

thing left to do. That is, end with honor. May God bless you and your loved ones! May the grace of the Lord Jesus

Christ cause his face to shine upon you and keep you!

It has been my honor and joy to...

Serve Those Who Serve,

Chaplain Jackson

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept

the faith.”-- II Timothy 4:7

PPOOSSTT--DDEEPPLLOOYYMMEENNTT

YYEELLLLOOWW RRIIBBBBOONN

EEVVEENNTTSS

Yellow Ribbon I: July 13-14

Yellow Ribbon II: August 10-11

Birmingham Sheraton Hotel

Task Force Centurion Prime is on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TaskForceCenturion

SAVE THESE

MANDATORY

DATES!!!!

Bottom will have “4th

Alabama” tab and “OEF 2012-

2013” along with custom

serial number (167INF###)

BEER SOLD SEPARATELY! Great

gift for

your

soldier!

12

HHC, Echo Company and Foxtrot Company Talladega Superspeedway

3366 Speedway Blvd., Lincoln, AL May 20, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Alpha Company

National Guard Armory 6448 Fairfax Bypass, Valley, AL

May 20, 2013 at 2:00 PM Alpha Company Detachment

Fort McClellan Parade Field Fort McClellan, Anniston, AL

May 20, 2013 at 2:00 PM Bravo Company

National Guard Armory 1000 Yeager Parkway, Pelham, AL

May 20, 2013 at 1:00 PM Charlie Company

National Guard Armory 1000 23rd Street SW, Cullman, AL

May 20, 2013 at 1:00 PM Delta Company

Legion Stadium (across from Sylacauga High School) 701 North Broadway, Sylacauga, AL

May 20, 2013 at 1:00 PM (Inclement weather location: J. Craig Rec Center)