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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]
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]
![]() | You can help expand this article with text translated from
the corresponding article in Spanish. (October 2023) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
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]
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]