Congressman Faleomavaega is proud to announce that Mrs. Lealofisa E. Payne was recently promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4) in the United States Army.  

After serving seven years in Germany, CW4 Payne received assignment for the 205th Military Intelligence Battalion, at Ft. Shafter, Hawaii where she is currently assigned. 

“CW4 Lealofisa Payne is currently deployed in Iraq with her sister Battalion 15th Military Intelligence Battalion (AE) out of Ft. Hood, Texas,” Faleomavaega said.  “She is the Battalion SIGINT technician and Liaison officer for the Guardrail Common Sensor System providing communication support to Multi National Corps–Iraq, and supported Division commands.  The MNC-I, part of Multi-National Force–Iraq is the tactical unit responsible for command and control of operations throughout Iraq.”

CW4 Lealofisa Payne is the daughter of the late Faiumu Ma’alona Elisara and Malo Mageo Elisara.  She was born and raised in the villages of Pago Pago and Futiga, American Samoa.  She attended Pago Pago elementary school and Samoana high school.  She is married to Joseph A. Payne of Alexandria, Virginia and they have two daughters – Pualani and Penina.

“It is with great pleasure that I congratulate you on your promotion to Chief Warrant Officer Four in the United States Army.  As we say in Samoa, Malo tau.  Malo fai o le faiva,” Faleomavaega wrote in a congratulatory letter to Chief Warrant Officer Lealofisa Payne.  

In recognition of her promotion to Chief Warrant Officer Four as well as her most notable achievements and service to the United States and Samoan community, Faleomavaega also presented Lealofisa a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition.

“I am very proud of Lealofisa and her achievements.  She has now joined an exclusive group of Samoan women ever to achieve the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four.  It is a distinction of which Samoans are to be very proud.  She is an inspiration to our people, especially to those in the Armed Services and to our Samoan youth who may wish to make a career in the military.”

“CW4 Lealofisa Payne’s educational achievements include a Master’s degree of Arts in Public Administration thru the University of Maryland University College in Maryland, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii, and an Associates of Science in Administration of Justice from American Samoa Community College.  Her military education includes Noncommissioned Officer Education System schools- Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Warrant Officer Basic School, Warrant Officer Advance course, Intelligence Collection Manager’s course, Sensitive Compartmented Information Security Managers Course, and Information Assurance course.”

“Lealofisa began her military career in the U.S. Army as an Electronic Warfare Signal Intelligence Analyst while enlisted with assignments to the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, the 704th Military Intelligence Brigade at Ft. Meade, Maryland, and the 703rd Military Intelligence Brigade at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.” 

“Lealofisa was selected to the Warrant Officer Candidate School in January 1997 and upon completion was assigned to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Polk, Louisiana as the SIGINT technician within the Regimental’s Military Intelligence Company.  She deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina with the 2d ACR as the Collection Management & Dissemination SIGINT Requirements officer supporting the Division G2’s SIGINT requirements within its Area of Responsibilities.  She was also stationed in Darmstadt, Germany with the 66th MI Group and with the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion (AE) at Wiesbaden Army Airfield.”

“CW4 Payne’s military awards include Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation medals; Army Achievement medals; Joint Service Achievement medals; NATO medal; Army Defense Service medals; Overseas medals; Global War on Terrorism medal; National Defense Service medals; Armed Forces Expeditionary Service medal, and many more.” 

“In a time when our country is facing serious challenges and this is perhaps one of the most critical periods in the history of our military, I am very pleased this daughter of Samoa continues to show leadership, and strength in her character which have been recognized by her superiors.  Her commitment to our country has required considerable sacrifice from her and members of her family, and for that she is to be commended.  I wish her much success in her continued military career and in all her future endeavors.”

“In a communication I received from Lealofisa, she relayed through me her greatest appreciation to the Samoan people for the prayers and support for her and her fellow Samoan sisters and brothers who are serving our country in the military and making the sacrifice,” Faleomavaega concluded.

Photo:  CW4 Lealofisa Payne taking oath.