James Hecker

Summary

James B. Hecker is a United States Air Force general who serves as the commander of United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and Allied Air Command since June 27, 2022.[2][3][4] Before that, he served as the commander and president of the Air University from November 2019 to June 2022.[5] and also previously served as the vice director for operations of the Joint Staff.[6][7][8][9]

James B. Hecker
Hecker in 2022
BornCalifornia, United States[1]
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1989–present
RankGeneral
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
Battles / warsWar in Afghanistan
AwardsAir Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal (3)
Legion of Merit (3)

He is from Arnold, California and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989.[10]

Awards and decorations

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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
 
 
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
    Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
    Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
      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
 
 
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
     Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
 
 
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster
  Combat Readiness Medal
 
 
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
    Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two service stars
 
 
Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
 
 
Kosovo Campaign Medal with service star
 
 
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star
  Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  Armed Forces Service Medal
 
 
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
 
 
NATO Medal for Kosovo with service star

Effective dates of promotions

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Rank Date
  Second lieutenant[5] May 31, 1989
  First lieutenant[5] May 31, 1991
  Captain May 31, 1993
  Major July 1, 1999
  Lieutenant colonel[5] March 1, 2002
  Colonel[5] January 1, 2007
  Brigadier general[5] August 2, 2013
  Major general[5] May 3, 2016
  Lieutenant general[5] November 22, 2019
  General June 27, 2022


References

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  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. June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  3. ^ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 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. June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Lieutenant General James B. Hecker (USAF)". United States Air Force. June 28, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ "Air University welcomes Lt. Gen. Hecker as commander, president". U.S. Air Force. November 22, 2019.
  7. ^ "Pentagon taps new leader for Air University". The Montgomery Advertiser. Associated Press.
  8. ^ "Air University Commander to address Alabama World Affairs Council on March 17". March 6, 2020.
  9. ^ "U.S. Forces Strike Taliban, East Turkestan Islamic Movement Training Sites". U.S. Central Command.
  10. ^ Polaris (PDF). Vol. XXXI. Colorado Springs, Colorado: United States Air Force Academy. 1989. p. 113. Retrieved June 24, 2022.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Military offices
Preceded by
Matthew H. Molloy
Commander of the 18th Wing
2013–2015
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Scott J. Zobrist
Director of Plans, Programs, and Requirements of the Air Combat Command
2015
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Michael A. Keltz
Commander of the Nineteenth Air Force
2015–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Commander for Air of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve
2017–2018
Succeeded by
Barre Seguin
Preceded by Vice Director for Operations of the Joint Staff
2018–2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander and President of the Air University
2019–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa
2022–present
Incumbent