He fought in the 1860 campaign in the Marche, and then in the Third War of Italian Independence.

He led the 1,000-men strong expedition that occupied Massawa on 5 February 1882, without resistance or protest from its Egyptian garrison; he remained there until November of the same year, when he was replaced by General Carlo Genè.

Promoted to Major General in March 1887, on April of the same year Saletta was reappointed commander in Eritrea, following the Battle of Dogali, in which an Italian column of 500 soldiers was attacked and destroyed by a larger army led by Ras Alula.

On November, following the arrival of General Alessandro Asinari di San Marzano with a large expeditionary corps, he returned to Italy.

Having been appointed a Senator in 1900, he left the position and active service in 1908 (being replaced by General Alberto Pollio).