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.
[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).
[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.
[5] On 15 December 2000, the government of José María Aznar appointed Admiral Antonio Moreno Barberá as the new JEMAD, replacing Santiago Valderas.