Command Master Chief Shane R. Edwards was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. He graduated from Palm Beach Lakes Community High School in May 1997. He enlisted in the Navy on July 10, 1997 and attended recruit training in Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon completion of his entry level training, Edwards graduated from Air Traffic Control ACA1 “A” School in Pensacola, Florida in February 1998.
His first sea tour was as a Plankowner, aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. He was a part of the commissioning crew and completed the maiden deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch. While on deployment, he earned his Enlisted Aviation and Surface Warfare Specialist designations.
In July 2001, Edwards transferred to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Jacksonville, Florida where he served as a fully rated air traffic controller and was recognized as Senior Sailor of the Year and Air Traffic Controller of the Year 2005. In February 2005, he transferred to Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax), Florida and was fully qualified a facility watch supervisor.
In April 2007, Edwards reported to Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 21, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Virginia where he advanced to chief petty officer. He also completed a Mediterranean deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility aboard USS Nassau (LHA 4). Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Edwards provided vital air traffic control services in Port Au Prince, Haiti in support of Operation Unified Response while stationed aboard USS Bataan (LHD-5).
In May 2010, he reported to Naval Air Technical Training Center Pensacola, Florida as ACA1 “A” School instructor and earned his Master Training Specialist certification. He transferred to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland in May 2013.
In May 2015, Edwards was detailed to TACRON 22, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Virginia as the senior enlisted leader. During his tour, he was selected for the Command Senior Chief program and advanced to command master chief.
In July 2019, he reported to the Strike Fighter Squadron 183 “Rampagers” as command master chief. Edwards completed two consecutive deployments to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) as a part of Carrier Air Wing Three.
In November 2021, Edwards reported to NAS Jax as command master chief.
Edwards has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and is a graduate of the Command Master Chief and Chief of the Boat course, and Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 174 Blue Group. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards), Navy Good Conduct Medal (7 awards) and various other unit and campaign medals.
Last Updated: 14 September 2022