Santiago Valderas Cañestro

Santiago Valderas Cañestro (26 March 1933, Larache, Spanish Protectorate of Morocco – 12 January 2019, Alcalá de Henares, Community of Madrid, Spain) was a Spanish military officer, Chief of Defence Staff from 1996 to 2000.[1]

Biography

Military career

In 1957 he graduated as a lieutenant from the General Air Academy, with the 9th promotion of the General Air Academy, as a jet pilot.[2] Subsequently, he was awarded the title of fighter pilot by the US Air Force. The posts he was entrusted with included: command of the 12th Wing of the Torrejón Air Base; member of the Air Force General Staff (1992–1993); military representative to the NATO Military Committee and military delegate to the Permanent Representation of Spain to the Council of the Western European Union (WEU) (1994–1996).[3]

On 26 July 1996, he was appointed Chief of Defence Staff.[4] During his tenure, he promoted the professionalisation and modernisation of the Armed Forces, as a preliminary step to eliminating compulsory military service, and Spain's full incorporation into NATO's military structure took place.[3]

Promoted to Air General in 1999, he was in favour of Spain promoting "the achievement of a European security identity, within the framework of NATO".[5] On 15 December 2000, the government of José María Aznar appointed Admiral Antonio Moreno Barberá as the new JEMAD, replacing Santiago Valderas.[6]

References

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