Brian Santarpia
Brian Santarpia | |
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![]() Santarpia (right) | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Rank | Rear Admiral |
Commands held |
Brian Walter Natale Santarpia is a Canadian naval officer. He joined Maritime Command in 1986 and served in various postings before rising to commanding officer of the frigate HMCS St. John's from 2007 to 2008. This was followed by a posting to Commanding Officer of Sea Training Atlantic and then advisor to the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. Santarpia then commanded Canada's chief naval base on its Atlantic coast, CFB Halifax, with promotion to commodore and the position of Director General Naval Personnel. In June 2020, Santarpia became Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic.
Career
He joined the Canadian Forces as part of Maritime Command as a MARS (Maritime Surface/Sub-surface) officer in 1986 and served in various postings before commanding HMCS St. John's from January 2007 to July 2008.[1][2]
This was followed by a stint as Commanding Officer of Sea Training Atlantic.[1] In 2009 he was promoted to captain and served as an advisor to the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff before taking command of CFB Halifax.[1]
He was promoted to commodore in July 2013 as Director General Naval Personnel.[1] In December 2014 he commanded Combined Task Force 150.[1]
He was appointed Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic in June 2020.[1]
In 2020, as chief of staff of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, Rear Adm. Santarpia supported using the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to test propaganda techniques on Canadians, saying “This is really a learning opportunity for all of us and a chance to start getting information operations into our (CAF-DND) routine."[3]
Awards and decorations
Santarpia's personal awards and decorations include the following:
Ribbon | Description | Notes |
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Special Service Medal |
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Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal | |
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Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal |
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Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) |
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References
- ^ a b c d e f "Rear-Admiral B.W.N. Santarpia, CD". Royal Canadian Navy. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "RAdm Santarpia takes over as new Commander of MARLANT and JTFA". Royal Canadian Navy. July 27, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "Military leaders saw pandemic as unique opportunity to test propaganda techniques on Canadians, Forces report says". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- ^ "The Diamond Jubilee Medal List". The Governor General of Canada.