Captain Michael D. Walls is a native of Bowie, MD and a 1986 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He was designated a Naval Aviator in March 1989. Captain Walls is the Commanding Officer of Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Norfolk and Commander, Task Force 1030. NIOC Norfolk advances Information Operations warfighting capabilities for Naval and Joint Forces through Fleet training, strategic and operational planning support, doctrine development and database management.
Captain Walls began his career flying the A-6 "Intruder" and later flew the EA-6B "Prowler" and T-45 "Goshawk." Upon completion of initial training in the A-6, he served with the "Sunday Punchers" of Attack Squadron 75 from 1990 to 1993, and made two deployments in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM and DENY FLIGHT His next fleet assignment was with the "Fighting Phoenix" of Electronic Attack Squadron 128 from 1997 to 1999 where he made two deployments in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. From 2002 to 2004, Captain Walls served as Operations Officer in Carrier Air Wing One deploying with the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group in support of Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM. He reported to the "Eagles" of Training Squadron SEVEN in 2004 and assumed command of the Squadron in 2005. From 2006 to January 2009, he served as Navigation Officer onboard USS George H W Bush (CVN 77). From January 2009 to January 2010, Captain Walls served as Commanding Officer, Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion R3, forward deployed to Camp Taji, Iraq.
Captain Walls' shore assignments include Flight Instructor in the A-6 Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), Attack Squadron 42 from 1993 to 1994; student at the Naval Postgraduate School from 1994 to 1996 where he earned an MS in Operations Research; Flight Instructor and Operations Officer in the EA-6B FRS, Electronic Attack Squadron 129 from 1999 to 2001; student Marine Corps Command and Staff College from 2001 to 2002; Experimentation Director, Navy Warfare Development Command from March 2010 to March 2011.
Captain Walls assumed his current duties as Commanding Officer, Navy Information Operations Command and Commander Task Force 1030 Norfolk in October 2012
Captain Walls has accumulated over 3,000 flight hours and his personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Individual Air Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and various campaign, unit and service awards.