Lieutenant Colonel E. Gray Payne IV is a native of Longwood, Florida. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June 2000 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Following Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, he attended basic and advanced motor transportation course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he earned the designation of 3533 Logistic Vehicle Systems Operator.
After transferring to the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) in December 2001, Lieutenant Colonel Payne served with Ammunition Company, 4th Combat Readiness Regiment, and later Charlie Company, 4th Landing Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, while attending The Citadel. Upon graduation in May 2005, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and reported to The Basic School.
Following graduation from The Basic School, Lieutenant Colonel Payne reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in March 2008. He subsequently completed UH-1N training with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303 (HMLAT-303) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
His first fleet assignment was with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 (HMLA-167) at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. From January to July 2009, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving as the Squadron Communications Officer (S-6 OIC). Following the deployment, he served as the Ground Training Officer and Airframes Officer in Charge. In 2011, he completed Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 2-11 at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) and subsequently served as a Pilot Training Officer and Future Operations Officer. During the summer of 2011, he led HMLA-167's transition to the UH-1Y while completing his own transition to the aircraft. From April to October 2013, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving as the Tactics Officer in Charge.
In June 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Payne reported to MAWTS-1 as an instructor in the Huey Division. While assigned to MAWTS-1, he completed Tactical Air Control Party training at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific, becoming a Forward Air Controller. During his time at MAWTS-1, he served in various assignments to include UH Operations lead, Operations External Air Support Coordinator, and the UH Forward Air Controller (Airborne) subject matter expert.
Following his transition to the SMCR in June 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Payne joined HMLA-773, where he has served as the Tactics Officer in Charge, Operations Officer, and Executive Officer.
Lieutenant Colonel Payne has accumulated more than 3,000 military flight hours. His personal decorations include the Air Medal with Individual Action Numeral "1" and Strike/Flight Numeral "8," the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
In his civilian capacity, Lieutenant Colonel Payne serves with the B-21 Raider Program Office.