NORFOLK, Va. – A 1997 Athens Christian School graduate and Watkinsville, Georgia, native is serving as part of the international staff at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Allied Command Transformation.
Cmdr. Patrick “Sockeye” Salmon was commissioned through the U.S. Naval Academy in 2001 as a naval aviator. His career began as an F/A-18 Hornet pilot and included opportunities to serve with the French navy as an exchange officer, flying the Super Etendard.
“Representing the United States as a combat aviator within a French navy squadron was such a tremendous opportunity,” said Salmon. “Here at Allied Command Transformation, I can continue to use my overseas experiences and foreign language skills to strengthen partnerships with our NATO allies.”
Currently Salmon performs duties as the military assistant to Deputy Chief of Staff Capability Development.
“What I most enjoy about my job is helping the NATO Alliance solve some of its thorniest issues by developing truly interoperable solutions,” said Salmon. “NATO consists of 29 nations. Leveraging the strengths and capabilities of each of these allies allows all of us to operate more effectively together in a complex security environment.”
Gen. Denis Mercier, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, believes that innovation helps make NATO a powerful guarantor of security in Europe and North America.
“We at Allied Command Transformation are members of the most successful military Alliance in the world because we have been able to adapt and evolve along with present technologies,” said Mercier. “Today, we have transitioned from a ‘complicated’ world to a ‘complex’ world. In a world full of complexities, we have to remain flexible in order to adequately respond to any threats from potential adversaries. There are more opportunities for surprise and diverse information, so we must continue to be resilient and ensure we make the right decisions, at the right time.”
As one of NATO’s two strategic commands, Allied Command Transformation has been located in the United States since its founding in 2003. The city of Norfolk, Virginia, and the region as a whole, serve as exceptional hosts to military and civilian personnel from 34 allied and partner nations who are assigned to Allied Command Transformation.
Since 1949, NATO has played a critical role in global affairs. The security NATO provides the international community is invaluable. In a world of global challenges, we need global solutions. Transatlantic security cooperation is needed more than ever. A strong NATO is a force-multiplier for every ally. We stand together, on the basis of solidarity, shared purpose and fair burden-sharing.
For more information on NATO’s Allied Command Transformation, please visit: http://www.act.nato.int/
“What I most enjoy about my job is helping the NATO Alliance solve some of its thorniest issues by developing truly interoperable solutions,” said Salmon. “NATO consists of 29 nations. Leveraging the strengths and capabilities of each of these allies allows all of us to operate more effectively together in a complex security environment.”
Gen. Denis Mercier, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, believes that innovation helps make NATO a powerful guarantor of security in Europe and North America.
“We at Allied Command Transformation are members of the most successful military Alliance in the world because we have been able to adapt and evolve along with present technologies,” said Mercier. “Today, we have transitioned from a ‘complicated’ world to a ‘complex’ world. In a world full of complexities, we have to remain flexible in order to adequately respond to any threats from potential adversaries. There are more opportunities for surprise and diverse information, so we must continue to be resilient and ensure we make the right decisions, at the right time.”
As one of NATO’s two strategic commands, Allied Command Transformation has been located in the United States since its founding in 2003. The city of Norfolk, Virginia, and the region as a whole, serve as exceptional hosts to military and civilian personnel from 34 allied and partner nations who are assigned to Allied Command Transformation.
Since 1949, NATO has played a critical role in global affairs. The security NATO provides the international community is invaluable. In a world of global challenges, we need global solutions. Transatlantic security cooperation is needed more than ever. A strong NATO is a force-multiplier for every ally. We stand together, on the basis of solidarity, shared purpose and fair burden-sharing.
For more information on NATO’s Allied Command Transformation, please visit: http://www.act.nato.int/