Vice-Admiral Robert Davidson

Vice-Admiral Bob Davidson joined the Canadian Forces in 1977 in the Naval Reserve. He was selected for naval officer training in 1978, and subsequently served in various ships and establishments on the east and west coasts. He later transferred to the Regular Force in order to specialize in submarines. Submarine sea going appointments include three years on exchange with the Royal Navy serving in Her Majesty's Submarine WALRUS, and 18 months running the Sea Training Group for the Australian Submarine Squadron. A graduate of the Royal Navy Submarine Commanding Officer Course (the "Perisher"), his first Command was the submarine HMCS OJIBWA in 1989-90.

Other Command appointments include Command of the frigate HMCS ST. JOHN'S, which comprised two six-month NATO deployments, with Standing Naval Force Atlantic and Standing Naval Force Mediterranean, Commander Submarine Division in the Fifth Maritime Operations Group, Command of the Fourth Maritime Operations Group, Deputy Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, and Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic.

In his last sea tour of duty, Vice-Admiral Davidson deployed with HMC ships IROQUOIS, CALGARY and PROTECTEUR from April to October 2008 to participate in Operation ALTAIR, Canada's maritime contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom. This deployment included a period in Command of Combined Task Force 150, responsible for coalition maritime security operations in the region spanning from the Gulf of Oman through the Arabian Sea to the Horn of Africa and into the Red Sea. During the deployment, HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC also joined the force specifically to conduct World Food Program escort off Somalia.

Staff assignments include Director of Staff, Strategic Joint Staff at NDHQ, Director - Plans and Policy Division on the International Military Staff at NATO, Director General Maritime Personnel and Readiness, Director Naval Personnel Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff Submarine Operations for Maritime Forces Atlantic, and Senior National Representative to U.S. Central Command in Tampa Florida.  In July 2012, Vice-Admiral Davidson was appointed to serve as the Canadian Military Representative to NATO in Brussels, Belgium.

Vice-Admiral Davidson has completed Canadian Forces Command and Staff College and the National Security Studies Programme at Canadian Forces College, and the Advanced Leadership Programme at the Canadian School of Public Service. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematical Sciences and a Masters in Business Administration.