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equipment we came together as

a cohesive team, gained fan

support, and turned this late

entry into a winner – a force to

be reckoned with.”

The company that didn’t

exist prior to this deployment

has completed around 3,000

missions, the second most of

any company in the battalion.

Vigilant also has a multi-faceted

mission that includes base

defense,

guardian angel, movements and

even TOC operations in Regional

Support Command-West.

1st Sgt. Hester said it matters

less where the Soldiers come from

than what they do while they are

here.

“When you have dedication and

commitment from your Soldiers

like we have in Foxtrot Company

and the desire to be the very best at

what they do, then you will have

success such as we have had,” he

said. “The biggest take away is, it

doesn’t matter what walks of life

Soldiers come from, they will

always find a way to make new

friends and build strong cohesion

every time and make memories that

will last a lifetime.”

The unit may not have a recent

history, but the 167th

Foxtrot Co.

had a rich saga during World War

I. It is a history not lost on Capt.

Buchta.

“We had a responsibility to

history placed on our shoulders

when the modern day Foxtrot

Company was formed,” he said.

“Tracing specific valorous actions

accomplished by F Company, 167th

Infantry in World War I fighting

alongside the 109th

French Infantry

SEE VIGILANT PAGE TWO

Vigilant ‘mutts’ live up to call-sign HERAT, Afghanistan – One

of the many great scenes in the

movie “Stripes” is when Bill

Murray’s character gives the

“mutt speech” telling the basic

trainees how they don’t fit in

anywhere else and are forced to

come together to create

something special.

In many ways, Task Force

Centurion Prime’s Vigilant

(Foxtrot Co.) embodies that

speech. The 1st of the 167

th

Infantry, the famed “Fourth

Alabama,” has not had a Foxtrot

Company for decades and had to

create one from scratch for this

deployment.

Capt. Kurt Buchta and 1st Sgt.

Michael Hester were tasked with

combining the group of veteran

167th

Soldiers and newcomers

together to form the new

company.

“I equate us to a sand-lot

baseball team getting ready to

play a professional team,” Capt.

Buchta said. “We were put

together from all over the

neighborhood at the last minute,

our equipment was not up to par,

the coaches didn’t know what

positions everybody played; with

a tenacious attitude, a good

amount of practice, and

constantly working on our

equipment we came together as a

cohesive team, gained fan

Task Force Centurion Prime’s

Vigilant (Foxtrot Co.) is led by

Capt. Kurt Buchta (right) and 1st

Sgt. Michael Hester.

2

Regiment where two Medals of

Honor were awarded to F Company

Soldiers, as well as the unit being

awarded the French Croix de Guerre;

the realization that we were now part

of something greater than ourselves

became very apparent. I believe that

history will tell the story of our

actions here, and our ‘Fourth

Alabama’ brothers who distinguished

themselves during that conflict will

leave a chair open at the table and

raise a glass with us, for we have

honored them by accomplishing our

mission in their spirit.”

Vigilant made its own mark on

history when it successfully thwarted

an insider, or “green on blue,” attack

when an attacker in an Afghan

National Army uniform fired on

them. They not only protected

themselves and those in their care,

but injured and caught the attacker.

“Vigilant was chosen as a call-sign to

remind us that in this environment it

is our actions that we control, and if

or when the enemy votes our control

provides a marked advantage over

the enemy,” Capt. Buchta said. “This

call-sign, turned mantra has proven

itself reliable.”

VIGILANT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

Task Force Centurion Prime’s Vigilant (Foxtrot Co.) has a multi-pronged mission at Camp Stone.

Special “K” SFC Klaustermeier has

made every modern

deployment with the

‘Fourth Alabama’

Klaustermeier, his fellow Soldiers have opted for the latter and

call him “Sgt. K.” But it’s not his name or even his towering size

that will ensure “Sgt. K” holds a place in “Fourth Alabama” lore.

Since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, units from the 1st of

the 167th

Infantry have been called to active duty four times. Sgt.

First Class Klaustermeier is the only “Fourth Alabama” Soldier

who has served in all four. He helped secure Ft. Rucker with

Alpha Co. in 2001’s “Noble Eagle.” He then went with Alpha to

Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005-2006 for a counterinsurgency

mission. He would return to Iraq in 2007-2008 as a platoon

sergeant with Charlie Co. conducting convoy security operations.

The hardest part each time was leaving wife, Lynn, and

children Chase and Kayleigh, he said.

His current mission in Afghanistan as part of the newly

created Foxtrot Co. has been like a combination of all of the past

deployments with elements of base defense like at Ft. Rucker

and counterinsurgency and convoy operations like in Iraq.

“It’s kind of all rolled into one,” he said.

When you have a name like

“Klaustermeier” and you’re in the

Army, you will either have your

name butchered or shortened. In the

case of Sgt. First Class John

Klaustermeir

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Soldiers, families and friends of Task Force Centurion Prime,

All over Afghanistan this month there is abundant sunshine and warm weather with mostly clear

skies. While there is rain in the forecast this weekend, I am sure things will stay pretty bright anywhere

you see a “Fourth Alabama” Soldier! As I write to you, we have crossed the April 1st mark on the

calendar which leaves us with less than one month of operations remaining here and plenty of smiles on

these Alabama faces to keep things sunny.

Over the next few weeks, the Soldiers replacing us will begin arriving and learning their individual

jobs and the mission that their command will assume from us. To accomplish all of the on-the-job

training required as well as making our individual preparations for leaving, our Soldiers are busier than

ever. Of course, that is a very good thing and I have not heard a single complaint. By the way, if you

happen not to hear from your Soldier as often during these last few weeks it is probably because we will

be moving into temporary quarters and transitioning out of our normal routines.

Although we have not received as many details from Camp Shelby as I had hoped for, I will update

you on as much as we know right now. It now looks like we will be at Camp Shelby between May 8th

and the 12th. Since that is Mother’s Day weekend, I will make every effort to dedicate the time that we

are not out-processing to spend with family! We now expect that our out-processing will take 11 days

but given the large size of our battalion there could be some delay.

As I stated last month, once we leave Afghanistan, my mission is to get our Soldiers back to their

families as quickly as possible while accomplishing all the necessary actions. These actions include

ensuring our Soldiers receive any care or information that they need. I will not get our schedule and

determine how much free time will be available to us until the week before our return to the States.

My best estimate now is that our companies should be arriving at their armories between May 18th

and the 22nd

. We have learned that Soldiers that live out of state a long distance away will be flown to

their home of record. We are not sure yet if this includes Soldiers who live in a neighboring state but are

still within an easy commute of their armory. All other Soldiers must leave Camp Shelby on a bus and

report to their armory where you can expect to have your “Welcome Home” ceremony. Although we

may need a few Soldiers to return to the armory the following day to complete some tasks, I believe that

everyone will be able to go home that first night. I don’t have any new information on the “Welcome

Home” ceremonies at this time, but I should be able to share those details in our final newsletter in May.

Here are two final thoughts. First, we have invested so much of our lives into this mission that

should our leadership see a need to shift these plans to ensure success here, we will drive forward until

our job is finished. Also, please continue to lift the entire “Fourth Alabama” up in prayer daily for

protection in Afghanistan and support at home! 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 As we approach the closing of another successful chapter in the “Fourth Alabama” history book, here

is a brief summary of previous works. The first chapter began in 1836 in preparation for the Seminole

war of Florida. The setting for chapter two was 1846 in what we now call Texas. These two perhaps set

the stage for future SEC Championships but I digress. The Fourth Alabama is most likely known for

successes during the Civil War where the Fourth Alabama earned 13 Battle Streamers. Worldwide

notoriety came in France in 1917 earning six more Battle Streamers and two Medals of Honor during

World War I.

Each one of these Soldiers here with us today owns a piece of this history book. The Global War on

Terror chapter began in 2001 with companies securing military bases throughout Alabama followed by

Alpha and Charlie companies deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005-08 including

teams deploying to Afghanistan prior to the Battalion’s present mission. The blood, sweat and tears they

have shed this theater of operations contribute to the lineage of the “Fourth Alabama.” Again I express

my pride for each of these wonderful Warriors who reached deep inside themselves and brought out all

they have to build this team that is so well known and respected throughout Afghanistan. The confidence

that the forces to our flanks have in us is overwhelming. The “Fourth Alabama” is the preferred security

element in Afghanistan. The comrades we have made come from every part of the globe and know us as

their friend. They affix our Tab onto anything imaginable. I’ve even seen working dogs and foreign

aircraft crews with “Fourth Alabama” tabs stuck to them. Many greet us with a “Roll Tide” as if it were a

proper greeting in the English language (it is). One of our interpreters has been known to quote Jeff

Foxworthy which is even more hilarious with an Afghan accent. He has even been trusted to fist fight his

own countrymen in the streets of Kabul alongside our Soldiers. My favorite duty here is to travel the

country and listen to the Soldiers talk about their experiences and how they handle different situations.

Their use of personal vignettes to structure training and future operations is amazing to witness. The

Shonna Ba Shonna (Shoulder to Shoulder) concept has caught on with them and they work very well with

their coalition counterparts.

The impending closure of this chapter is bittersweet. My faith is not to study war, however those that I

study and practice war alongside enhance my faith. I would like to dedicate this article to all the

wonderful Soldiers of the 167th

Infantry with whom I have had the honor of serving with during my 30

years in the Alabama National Guard.

4th

ALABAMA!

CSM John Black

11

Cpt Robert jackson

chaplain

Task Force

Centurion prime

As I thought about coming home this story in Scripture came to mind. The Jews were living in exile and God

was promising of the time when they would return home. What excitement they must have felt at the thought of

returning to their homeland! What anticipation they must have had, looking forward to that day when they would

be restored to their people! Times like these stand as reminders to God's goodness. Certainly we are not Ancient

Israel exiled for 70 years, but moments like this (nearing the end of deployment) take me to certain Biblical texts

as I feel similar emotions. We are going home. It won't be long. I may not know the exact hour or day but I know

it will be soon. This reminds me of another homecoming even greater the one that will come at the end of this

deployment. It will be my homecoming with my Lord, who has prepared for me a ". . . city that has foundations,

whose designer and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:10) While over here I have been a sojourner, a wanderer – one

who has been on a mission but will one day return home. Likewise, my journey through this world is as a

sojourner passing through, who, by God's grace, is headed toward his real home. This is what I hope this

deployment has afforded you: The opportunity to grow in your faith and see the similarities that teach us what it

means to be a pilgrim in a world that is not our own. Let moments like this draw you closer to God. May God

continue to bless us all as we near the end, and thank Him for his mercy and grace through the journey. Not just

the journey of deployment, but the journey of life.

Serving Those Who Serve,

Your Chaplain

CH CPT Robert Jackson

Jeremiah 29:14 "...I will restore your fortunes and gather you

from all the nations...and I will bring you back to the place

from which I sent you into exile."

PPOOSSTT--DDEEPPLLOOYYMMEENNTT

YYEELLLLOOWW RRIIBBBBOONN

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

NO MORE MAIL AFTER THESE DATES

10 APRIL TO CAMP PHOENIX

6 APRIL TO EVERYWHERE

ELSE

12

The next time you’re in the Paul “Bear” Bryant

Museum, you might find 1st Platoon, E Co., 1

st of the 167th

Infantry. The platoon has been honored with its group

picture and an American Flag placed on permanent display

at the University of Alabama destination. This flag was

carried on combat missions by 1st Platoon, Firescout, and

Task Force Pirate. The flag and certificates were presented

as a gift to Nick and Terry Saban by SPC Johnny Box.

Coach Saban then contacted the museum and had space

made available in his section of the museum. Coach Saban

said he was “honored to have received the items from 1st

Platoon, and that they were placed in ‘Nick’s Corner’ of

the museum with honor.” It’s the latest honor the “Fourth

Alabama” has earned in its 150 years.

1st platoon “Evil Angels” operates out of FOB Kunduz,

although the soldiers are already prepping for a move to a

sweet home thousands of miles away in a few days. They

have served as SECFOR, guarding and transporting

personnel travelling to various sites throughout the

Kunduz, Baghlan and Takhar provinces. 1st Platoon is ably

led by 1st Lt. Matthew Canales and Staff Sgt. Jonathan

Thompson.

A U.S. flag and photo from 1st Platoon, E Co., 1st of

the 167th Infantry has earned a place in “Nick’s

Corner of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Museum at the

University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Be sure to mark you deployment with:

Smith & Wesson M&P15 MOE rifle

Colt 1911 pistol with engraved handles

Glock G21SF pistol

Smith & Wesson .45ACP

All are engraved with “Fourth Alabama” tabs and/or Task Force

Centurion Prime logos and other special engravings to mark the first

deployment of the battalion since World War II. All, including

knives and accessories, are offered at deeply discounted prices.

Contact Sgt. First Class Easlick at daryl.easlick@us.army.mil before

1 May to order.

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 15 April

to reserve your Battle Mug.

Bottom will have “4th

Alabama” tab and “OEF 2012-

2013” along with custom

serial number (167INF###)

BEER SOLD SEPARATELY!