Rear Admiral Francesco Saladino

Head of Surface Capabilities Development Department Italian Navy Air Force

Rear Admiral Lower Half Francesco Saladino was born in Mazara del Vallo (TP) on September 12, 1973. From 1993 to 1997 he attended the Naval Academy in Livorno where he graduated in Maritime Science and a bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering. He also took a degree in politicalscience at the University of Trieste. In 1998, he qualified as a Telecommunications and Surface Officer and in 2002 he obtained a certificate in "Naval Tactics" at Navy Training Center. During the academic year 2006, he attended the Normal Staff Course at the Institute of Maritime Military Studies and in 2013/2014 he attended the Naval Command College at the U.S. Naval War College.

From 1997 to 2006, he served aboard the ITS Vittorio Veneto as Navigation Officer, ITS Zeffiro as Telecommunication Officer and ITS Mimbelli as CIC Officer. In 2006-2007, he served as Commander Officer of ITS Vega. From 2007 to 2010, he served as Chief of the Operations Department on ITS Garibaldi. Then, from 2010 to 2014, he was assigned to the Financial Planning and Programming Office of the Italian Navy General Staff. From 2015 to 2016 he has the privilege to command the FREMM class frigate, ITS Carabiniere, participating to the European Union anti-piracy operation EUNAVFOR - Operation Atalanta.

His other assignment includes Head of Relations with Parliament Office at the Cabinet of the Ministy of Defense, the command of the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour, flagship unit of the Italian Navy Fleet and then he served as the Assistant of the Undersecretary of State for Defence. From February 2024 to June 2024 he served as Force Commander of European Union anti-piracy operation EUNAVFOR – Atlanta.

From January 2025 he is the Head of Surface Capabilities Development Department. RDML Saladino is been awarded the following honors: - Medal of Honor for long navigation; - Silver Cross for length of service; - Commemorative Cross for peace operations in Lebanon; - Commemorative Medal for Operation Active Endeavour; - Almirante Brion Naval Medal; - The United Nation Peacekeeping Medal in Lebanon; - Ribbon of Merit for service with the Italian Navy General Staff