A 2007 Roane County High School graduate and Kingston native returned home this month, marking the end of a seven-month deployment aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Since departing its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia in January 2020 for the ship’s Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), the aircraft carrier remained underway and deployed to the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Nance is a machinist’s mate (nuclear) aboard the carrier. As a machinist’s mate (nuclear), Nance is responsible for supervising the maintenance and operations on two nuclear power plant systems onboard a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

“I like being able to share my personal and professional experiences with the junior sailors who look up to me,” said Nance.

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, Ike continued to conduct operations underway, minimizing the potential spread of the virus aboard in order to maintain maritime stability and security and ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

Ike, along with the USS San Jacinto (CG 56), one of the other ships within Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, remained continuously at sea with no port visits, setting a new record for the U.S. Navy, breaking the previous record of 160 days set in 2002 by USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

“I’m so proud of the young men and women I see on the deck plates each and every day,” said Capt. Kyle Higgins, Ike’s commanding officer. “Their dedication to the mission is what makes our Navy the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen.”

Sailors assigned to the Eisenhower and San Jacinto transited to the equator and participated in a unique crossing the line ceremony, becoming the Navy’s first ‘Iron Shellbacks,’ with more than 100 days at sea May 14. Ike petitioned Naval History and Heritage Command to commemorate this feat in conjunction with crossing the equator as a new title: ‘Iron Shellback.’

“My proudest accomplishment is being told by my subordinates that I am the most effective and cooperative leadership figure they’ve ever served under,” said Nance.

Ike participated in multiple exercises with allies and partners and dual-carrier operations. The ships within CSG-10 also completed multiple strait and choke point transits, to include the Strait of Gibraltar, the Suez Canal and the Bab-el Mandeb Strait, while operating under two Combatant Commanders – U.S. European Command (EUCOM), and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

“I support the ship’s mission by leading my team of maintenance technicians to ensure the firefighting capability of the reactor department spaces is always up to par,” said Nance. “My role is the reactor damage control divisional leading chief petty officer.

Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Nance, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Nance is honored to carry on the family tradition.

“I have a long history of military service in my family,” said Nance. “Most recently, my father served in the Marines.”

As a member of the U.S. Navy, Nance, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.

“I joined the Navy to find myself,” added Nance. “I didn’t know who or what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I knew that I had to challenge myself and the Navy allowed me to do that.”

(In picture, Nance is on right)