HMCS IROQUOIS

Command Team

Our Executive Officer

 

LCDR Blair Saltel

Lieutenant-Commander Blair Saltel grew up in Sioux Lookout, ON before enrolling in the Regular Force in June 1996. He attended the Royal Military College in Kingston, ON from 1996-2000 and received a Bachelors of Engineering (Mechanical) upon graduation.

Completing initial MARS training in Esquimalt, BC, he was posted to HMCS TORONTO in 2001 and deployed to the Arabian Gulf theatre as part of OP APOLLO as watchkeeper and Witnessing Officer for the Boarding team. Attaining his Bridge Watch Keeping certificate during the deployment, he then completed his Certificate of Competency Level 2 upon his return in February 2002.

Completing his Fleet Navigating Officer course in 2003, he was posted to HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC as Navigator. During this period, he deployed with Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1 during a WESTLANT deployment and responded to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina during OP UNISON. During this period, he was also fortunate to navigate HMC Ships CHARLOTTETOWN and IROQUOIS for short periods.

In January 2006, he was posted to the Operations Room Officer (ORO) course, and then was whisked to the West Coast, joining HMCS CALGARY in January 2007. Initially acting as Operations and Force Protection Officer, he deployed with CALGARY to the Arabian Gulf theatre in 2008 for OP ALTAIR as Combat Officer.

LCdr Saltel was promoted to his present rank in December 2009 and joined Canadian Fleet Pacific operations staff as Operations Officer. LCdr Saltel was then transferred to Coastal Division Pacific, achieved his Major Warship Command qualification and was appointed first Commanding Officer for the Naval Tender Section (now Patrol Craft Training Section). During this period, he oversaw the deployment of ORCA training craft, including the 2010 Olympics, and was OIC for various deployments.

Departing the west coast, he was then posted to Canadian Forces College in Toronto, ON where he completed the Joint Staff program (JCSP 37) and received his Masters in Defence Studies from RMC in June 2011. He was then posted to Canada Command, working in the Operational Plans section. Appointed to Executive Officer in HMCS IROQUOIS for April 2012, LCdr Saltel now resides in Halifax with his wife Melissa and his dog, Juno. Having crossed the Arctic Circle and circumnavigated the Earth, he is still hoping to cross the Equator.

Date modified:
4/26/2012