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James Hecker

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James B. Hecker
Image
Hecker in 2022
Born
California, United States[1]
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.[2][3][4][5] Before that, he served as the commander and president of Air University from 2019 to 2022.[6] and also previously served as the vice director for operations of the Joint Staff.[7][8][9][10]

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.[11]

Awards and decorations

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

Effective dates of promotions

[edit]
RankDate
Image Second lieutenant[6]31 May 1989
Image First lieutenant[6]31 May 1991
Image Captain31 May 1993
Image Major1 July 1999
Image Lieutenant colonel[6]1 March 2002
Image Colonel[6]1 January 2007
Image Brigadier general[6]2 August 2013
Image Major general[6]3 May 2016
Image Lieutenant general[6]22 November 2019
Image General27 June 2022


References

[edit]

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.
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