Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that Command Sergeant Major Iuniasolua Savusa was selected as the Command Sergeant Major for the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) headquartered at Camp Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii.  CSM Savusa will be leaving his post as the Command Sergeant Major of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force and United States Forces in Kabul, Afghanistan.  CSM Savusa will be under the command of Admiral Timothy J. Keating, USN, Commander of USPACOM.  He will replace Chief Master Sergeant James A. Roy of the U.S. Air Force.

USPACOM was established as a unified command in 1947 by President Harry Truman and remains today as the oldest and the largest of all the United State’s unified commands.  USPACOM’s area of responsibility covers more than 50 percent of the earth’s surface, an area of more than 100 million square miles.  This includes 36 nations and about sixty percent of the world’s population.  Importantly, USPACOM monitors five of the world’s largest armies including: People’s Republic of China, Russia, India, North Korea, and South Korea.  USPACOM is formed by the U.S. Army Pacific, Marine Forces Pacific, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Pacific Air Forces and is estimated at approximately 250,000 military personnel.

 Prior to being the Command Sergeant Major of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force and United States Forces in Afghanistan, CSM Savusa was also Command Sergeant Major for the U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army in Heidelberg, Germany, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force in Vicenza, Italy, and Post Command Sergeant Major at Fort Polk, Louisiana.  In support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, CSM Savusa served two tours as the Command Sergeant Major for the Task Force Rakkasan (2001) and Combined Joint Task Force-76 (2005).  In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, CSM Savusa was deployed with the 101st Airborne Division that was led by General David Petraeus and CSM Savusa was instrumental in the initial incursion of Baghdad.
 
 CSM Savusa is the son of the late Savusa Tului of the village of Nu’uuli and Talaitupu Savusa of the village of Fagasa.  He is married to Mareta Siatini Iese of the village of Fagatogo and they have four children.

 “I want to take this opportunity to congratulate a great American hero and Toa o Samoa, CSM Iuni Savusa, for his new assignment as the Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Pacific Command,” said Faleomavaega.  “Given that USPACOM is the largest of our unified commands, Iuni’s assignment as the most senior enlisted soldier at USPACOM speaks volumes of his leadership and trust by our military leaders.”

 “Iuni continues to be an amazing inspiration for many of our troops that serve in all branches of the military today.  He has continued to further his military career by taking assignments that require the highest responsibility and the strongest leadership.  Iuni’s experience will prepare him for his new assignment but, more importantly, he will have the opportunity to contribute and to serve our Pacific community.  I know that Iuni will serve us well as the U.S. continues to advocate for more U.S. presence and direct dialogue for mutual diplomacy in the Asia and Pacific region.”

 “I want to take this opportunity to wish Iuni and Mareta the very best at their new assignment.  Their honorable service and commitment to our military personnel remains an exemplary model for all military families.  You demonstrate the core values of a Toa Samoa and you continue to make us proud,” concluded Faleomavaega.