The commanding officer of the Mighty Ike aircraft carrier sat down with Navy Times to discuss the Red Sea, long deployments and maintaining sailor morale.
The final months of Walz's service came under scrutiny when Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance accused him of dodging a deployment to Iraq.
Three sailors on the deck required medical evacuation to a Manila, Philippines, hospital, where they were assessed as in stable condition. The other four were treated by medical personnel onboard the ship.
A defense official said Tuesday that the change in the schedule of the USS Harry S. Truman, and the five American warships accompanying it, reflects the need for a persistent presence in Europe.