Biography
Commodore David P. Gagliardi, CD,
Deputy Commander - Canada Command
Cmdre David Gagliardi was born and raised in Montreal, where he joined the Naval Reserve Unit HMCS DONNACONA in 1978.
In 1979, Cmdre Gagliardi transferred from HMCS DONNACONA to HMCS MALAHAT in Victoria B.C., was commissioned in 1981, and obtained his Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology) from the University of Victoria. He continued his association with MALAHAT serving as a Divisional Officer, Sea Training Officer, Personnel Officer, Operations Officer, and Harbour Defence Plans Officer.
Cmdre Gagliardi has had a very active role with the Reserves, filling many staff and sea-going billets on both coasts of Canada. He qualified for sea-going command in 1988, and since then has commanded the Porte Class Gate Vessels HMCS PORTE QUEBEC (1989), HMCS PORTE DAUPHINE (1994), Bay Class Patrol Boat HMCS THUNDER (1991), Minesweeping Auxiliary HMCS ANTICOSTI (1990), and HMCS MORESBY (1995). In 1998 he served in command of HMCS NANAIMO, one of the new Kingston Class Maritime Coastal Defense Vessels,.
Cmdre Gagliardi attended the Canadian Forces Staff College in 1994, and in 1997 he was appointed to the full time position of the Commander Coastal Forces division in Maritime Operations Group Four Esquimalt. During his tour, he served as the Deputy Maritime Component Commander for Operation Assistance (Manitoba Flood Relief) and the Maritime Security Operation in support of APEC 97. He returned to part time service with the command of his parent Naval Reserve Division, HMCS MALAHAT, in 2000 until his relief in 2004. He was then promoted Captain(Navy) and appointed Naval Reserve Western Region Coordinator. He was promoted to Commodore and assumed the full time position of Deputy Commander Canada Command in September 2006.
Cmdre Gagliardi is an Airline Transport licensed civilian pilot with over 5300 flying hours. He is type rated on the Grumman S2F Tracker, Douglass DC6, and Convair 580 aircraft. Prior to his CANADACOM appointment he flew for CONAIR AVIATION, a firm that specializes in aerial forest fire suppression.
