East Rochester Native Returns from Seven-Month Deployment aboard Record-Breaking Aircraft Carrier
A 2014 East Rochester High School graduate and East Rochester native returned home August 9th, 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 2nd Class Cody Pacher is a master-at-arms aboard the carrier. As a master-at-arms, Pacher is responsible for anti-terrorism and force protection for the ship and maintaining good order and discipline in accordance with Navy requirements.
“My favorite part of my job is setting gun quarters during transits through high threat areas,” said Pacher. “It’s rewarding to know I am the first line of defense for the ship and the safety of my shipmates.”
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, USS Eisenhower 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.
USS Eisenhower, 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 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 accomplishments are earning my enlisted surface warfare specialist qualification while on deployment and being nominated as the security department’s Junior Sailor of the Quarter,” said Pacher.
USS Eisenhower 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).
“As a watch commander, I am responsible for 13 Sailors that work under me,” said Pacher. “My job is to provide tactical control over them during emergencies and ensure they are trained properly and doing their jobs to the best of their abilities.”
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Pacher, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Pacher is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My great-grandfather served in World War II, my wife, Marisol, currently is a senior airman in the Air Force and my brother is a petty officer second class in the Navy,” said Pacher.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Pacher, 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 set myself up for the future,” added Pacher. “I’m thankful that I joined the Navy, and I like to think that it made me a better person.”
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