A gas turbine engine variable geometry exhaust nozzle including a seal system that facilitates extending a useful life of the engine variable geometry system is described. The seal system includes a backbone and an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly frictionally engages the backbone to secure the attachment assembly to the backbone. The attachment assembly includes a plurality of clamp sub-assemblies and base sheet fabricated from a ceramic matrix composite material. The clamp sub-assemblies are clamped through openings extending through the base sheet, such that a predetermined amount of preload force is applied to the base sheet.