09/03/2026
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“You go…with GOD, you will succeed.” | Tausala Mansfield, the first Samoan woman Black Hawk pilot in the U.S. Army
by Gutu Faasau
Samoa Observer
June 22, 2023
HONOLULU, HAWAI’I — A woman with roots in Savai'i and the village of Aua in American Samoa is the first Samoan woman to become a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the United States Army.
Tausala Kimberly Mansfield, a First Warrant Officer in the United States Army, has become a Black Hawk pilot in the U.S. Army. Hailing from the village of Aua in American Samoa, Ms. Mansfield also told Samoa Observer that her grandfather is from Savai'i. She is the daughter of the late Salamasina Apineru Morris and Kim Ray Morris.
She joined the army in 2014 after graduating from Kanana Fou High School in American Samoa and has been on this journey in the U.S. Army since. According to Ms. Mansfield, she always dreamt of becoming a pilot and added that becoming the first Samoan Black Hawk pilot was worth the sacrifice.
“My heart has been set on this dream for as long as I can remember. It’s been a long and taxing but extremely rewarding journey and it’s just the beginning,” Ms. Mansfield said. “I never realised that there was not yet a Samoan woman who was a pilot in the United States Army so the moment I realized this, it gave me even more motivation to push through.
"I was enlisted for seven years prior to transitioning over to the Warrant Officer cohort. Now that I have become one I am absolutely elated! I’m honoured to have this opportunity and the privilege to be a pilot in the world’s greatest army.”
But the journey for Ms. Mansfield to get to where she is now would not have been possible without the support of her family, whom she said provided the "greatest support" to enable her to achieve her dream.
“My husband was my rock through this journey. He was extremely proud and supportive. He knew how hard and how long this journey has been so I could tell he was just as happy for me,” she said. “My son, his name is Nākoa is a couple of months shy of being 3 years old, he’s my driving force in everything that I do in this life, and of course knowing that I am the first to hold this torch for the Samoan community.”
"It really gives me a greater purpose because I know that so many young girls and boys even are looking at me as their pillar to make their way towards this path as well.”
With Ms. Mansfield now a fully-fledged Black Hawk pilot, she said it is important she passes on the torch with advice for the next generation of young dreamers who have the power to make their aspirations become a reality.
“Do not ever let anyone tell you or make you feel that your dreams are unreachable. You go with your whole heart, your 100 per cent dedication and most importantly, with God, you will succeed," she said. "When you fall, get up and try again because your finish line will always be right there waiting for you.”
Stationed in Hawai’i with the U.S. Army, she said she was blessed to be given the opportunity and dreams of the day when she can fly her helicopter home to inspire and share her success with her people.
In order to become a Black Hawk pilot in the U.S. Army, soldiers must complete basic combat training and advanced individual training, which would be followed by Warrant Officer Candidate School. Upon being accepted into flight school, candidates undergo rigorous training in both classroom and flight settings which culminates with the awarding of the Army Aviator Badge and the responsibility to pilot a Black Hawk helicopter.
Happy International Women's Day, Tausala K. Mansfield!
Photo: Via Samoa Observer
