David Saar Salama

David Saar Salama
Native name	דוד סער סלמה
Born	(1969-03-04) March 4, 1969 (age 55) Atlit, Israel
Allegiance	Israel
Service / branch	Israeli Navy
Years of service	1987-present
Rank	Aluf (Vice Admiral)
Commands	Head Instructor in Shayetet 13 Captain of INS Yaffo 916st fleet Commander of Eilat Naval Base Commander of Ashdod Naval Base Commander of the Missile boat Flotillas Commander of Haifa naval base Deputy Commander of the Depth Corps Chief of Navy Staff Commander of the Israeli Navy
Battles / wars	Security Zone in Lebanon First Intifada Second Intifada 2006 Lebanon War Operation Cast Lead Operation Pillar of Defense Operation Brother's Keeper Operation Protective Edge Israel-Hamas war

David Saar Salama (Hebrew: דוד סער סלמה; Born March 4 1969) is an IDF Vice Admiral (Aluf) who currently serves as the commander of the Israeli navy.

Previously he served as chief of the navy staff, deputy commander of the Depth Corps, commander of the Haifa naval base and more.

Salama was born and grew up in Atlit.^[1] he began his studies at the military boarding school for command in Haifa, and after being expelled at the end of the 10th grade, he continued his studies at the Reali School in Haifa.

He enlisted in the IDF in 1987, and volunteered for Shayetet 13.^[1] He completed the warrior course training in the Shayetet 13, and went to the infantry officers' course. At the end of the course, he returned to the Shaytet and was appointed a platoon commander, he has participated in combat in South Lebanon and West Bank. Later he served as the Intelligence officer of Shayetet 13. Afterwards he was a head instructor in the Shayetet 13. He completed the Israeli Naval Academy course and at the end of it he went to study at the United States Naval war College. Upon his return, he completed training at the Naval Command School and served as a platoon officer in a Missile ship. After that, he was appointed commander of INS Yaffo.^[1]

In 2002, after he completed his academic studies, Salama was promoted to the rank of Commander (Sgan aluf) and appointed commander of the 916 squadron. Between the years 2006-2007 he has served as the head of field branch in the training department of the Navy. In 2007-2008 he has served as the commander of squadron 31 in the missile boat flotilla.^[1] In august of 2008 he was appointed commander of the Eilat naval base, in which he served until 2010.^[1]

In February of 2010 he was promoted to the rank of Captain (navy) (Aluf Mishne) and was appointed commander of the Ashdod naval base.^[1][2] during his time as the commander of the base he led the fighting in the Gaza Strip while cooperating with the Southern Command. He served in this position until August 2011. In 2011-2013 he served as the commander of the missile boats flotilla.^[3] afterwards he went to study in the National Security College.

On the 7th of August 2014 he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral (Tat Aluf) and was appointed commander of the Haifa naval base,^[1][4][5] a position in which he served until the 16th of August 2017. In the years 2017-2019 he has served as the commander of the Depth Corps. On the 15th of March 2019 he was appointed chief of the Navy's staff, a position in which he served until August 2021.^[1] On the 1st of September 2021 he was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral (Aluf), and a day later was appointed as the commander of the Israeli navy.^[6][1]

Salama was awarded three campaign ribbons for his service during three wars.

Salama is married to Daphne and has three children.^[1] He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Rupin Academic Center, and a master's degree in humanities from the University of Haifa. He received an award from the Rupin Academic Center (Inspirational Graduates) for the year 2015, for his many years of contribution to Israel's security.^[7][1]