James Hecker

James B. Hecker
Hecker in 2022
Born
California, United States
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Branch
United States Air Force
Service years
1989–2025
Rank
General
CommandsUnited States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa
Allied Air Command
Air University
9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan
NATO Air Command-Afghanistan
Nineteenth Air Force
18th Wing
432nd Wing
3rd Operations Group
27th Fighter Squadron
Conflicts
War in Afghanistan
AwardsAir Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal (3)
Legion of Merit (3)

James B. Hecker is a retired four-star United States Air Force general who last served as the commander of United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and Allied Air Command from 2022 to 2025. Before that, he served as the commander and president of Air University from 2019 to 2022. and also previously served as the vice director for operations of the Joint Staff.

Previeously he also commanded the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force - Afghanistan.

He is from Arnold, California and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989.

Awards and decorations

Gen Hecker assumes command U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa on June 27, 2022.
US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Air Staff Badge
Weapons School Graduate Patch
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges. Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with "C" device and two oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
 National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two service stars
Bronze star
 Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
Bronze star
 Kosovo Campaign Medal with service star
Bronze star
 Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Bronze star
 Humanitarian Service Medal with service star
Air and Space Campaign Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Bronze star
 NATO Medal for Kosovo with service star

Effective dates of promotions

RankDate
Second lieutenant31 May 1989
First lieutenant31 May 1991
Captain31 May 1993
Major1 July 1999
Lieutenant colonel1 March 2002
Colonel1 January 2007
Brigadier general2 August 2013
Major general3 May 2016
Lieutenant general22 November 2019
General27 June 2022

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States government.

  1. ↑ "Military Profile: Lt. General James Hecker".
  2. ↑ "PN2228 — Lt. Gen. James B. Hecker — Air Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  3. ↑ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. 8 June 2022. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  4. ↑ "USAFE-AFAFRICA, NATO Allied Air Command Change of Command". U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa. Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany: USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  5. ↑ "Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command Gen. James B. Hecker Retires after 36 Years of Service". U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa. Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany: USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Lieutenant General James B. Hecker (USAF)". United States Air Force. 28 June 2021. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ↑ "Air University welcomes Lt. Gen. Hecker as commander, president". U.S. Air Force. 22 November 2019.
  8. ↑ "Pentagon taps new leader for Air University". The Montgomery Advertiser. Associated Press.
  9. ↑ "Air University Commander to address Alabama World Affairs Council on March 17". 6 March 2020.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Forces Strike Taliban, East Turkestan Islamic Movement Training Sites". U.S. Central Command.
  11. ↑ Polaris (PDF). Vol. XXXI. Colorado Springs, Colorado: United States Air Force Academy. 1989. p. 113. Retrieved 24 June 2022.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.