USNS Walter S. Diehl Shifts to Naval Station Norfolk. The evolution signified the completion of a 15-year forward deployment that began February 24, 2005 in support of military operations in U.S. 7th, 6th, 5th, and 2nd Fleets’ areas of responsibility. A return from being forward deployed coupled with a coastal swap seldom occurs, and its length and magnitude are noteworthy said ship’s master, Captain Andrew Chen. “Steaming 997,495 nautical miles to participate in 389 voyages, Diehl traversed more than half the globe providing critical logistics support to the U.S. Navy and partner nations in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Italy, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Germany, France, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, and Spain.”