Walt Slaughter is director of Fleet Support Programs at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, located in Newport News, VA. Named to this position in 2026, he is responsible for all aspects of off-site submarine and aircraft carrier fleet support.
A retired Navy Captain, Slaughter served in multiple squadron and staff tours flying the S-3B Viking, F-14A/D Tomcat, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. He commanded the Fighting Blacklions of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, served as executive officer of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and as commanding officer of USS New Orleans (LPD 18). He commanded USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), completing a record-breaking, 295-day, around-the-world combat deployment and subsequent homeport shift to San Diego, CA. His final assignment was as Chief of Staff for Commander, Naval Air Forces. Slaughter retired from naval service in 2023 after 34 years and previously served as Newport News Shipbuilding’s Program Manager for In-Service Aircraft Carriers, San Diego.
Slaughter graduated cum laude from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and completed the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Training Pipeline, graduating with distinction.