Historic Alabama National Guard Infantry unit returns home from deployment

MONTGOMERY, AL (05/17/2013)(readMedia)-- The Alabama Army National Guard's 1/167th Infantry Battalion, headquartered in Talladega, with its subordinate units, is returning from active duty after more than 10 months of supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

As the unit returns, there will be several homecoming ceremonies for the units within the battalion.

Company A, 1/167th Infantry Battalion, out of Valley, will have a homecoming ceremony in Valley at the National Guard armory, 6448 Fairfax Bypass, at 2 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013.

Company B, 1/167th Infantry Battalion, out of Pelham, will have a homecoming ceremony in Pelham at the National Guard armory, 1000 Yeager Parkway, at 1 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013.

Company C, 1/167th Infantry Battalion, out of Cullman, will have a homecoming ceremony in Cullman at the National Guard Armory, 1000 23rd Street Southwest, at 1 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013.

Company D, 1/167th Infantry Battalion, out of Sylacauga, will have a homecoming ceremony in Sylacauga at Legion Stadium, 701 North Broadway, at 1 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013. (Inclement weather location: J. Craig Rec Center)

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1/167th Infantry Battalion; Company E, 167th Infantry Battalion, out of Talladega; and Company F, 1/167th Infantry Battalion, out of Oxford will have a homecoming ceremony in Lincoln at SPEED Dome-International Motorsports Hall of Fame, 3366 Speedway Blvd., at 2 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013.

In all, the 1/167th Infantry Battalion (Task Force Centurion) deployed approximately 600 Alabama National Guard Soldiers to conduct security force missions in support of the National Training Mission - Afghanistan (NTM-A) throughout the Afghanistan theater of operations to provide freedom of maneuver for NTM-A and regional support command assets.

The 1/167th has played a role in every major American war since the Civil War. The battalion still carries the lineage and honor of the 4th Alabama, which fought in the Civil War, and continues to serve with distinction today. Select members of the unit will participate in a ceremony at Little Round Top this July in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Local officials and senior Alabama National Guardsmen will attend each ceremony to welcome home the Soldiers of the 1/167th. The general public is invited and encouraged to attend each ceremony to show their support for the Soldiers and their families.

The Alabama National Guard has called more than 21,000 personnel to active duty since 9/11 and remains a top contributor among the nation's National Guard.

*Note – Due to travel times and demobilization requirements, this time is subject to change with little notice. We will attempt to provide the latest information in a timely manner.

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