James B. Hecker
Official portrait, 2022
BornCalifornia, U.S.[1]
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1989–present
RankGeneral
Commands heldUnited 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)

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]

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

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

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


References

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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to James B. Hecker.
  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 "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. Public Domain 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.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Military offices Preceded byMatthew H. Molloy Commander of the 18th Wing 2013–2015 Succeeded byBarry Cornish Preceded byScott J. Zobrist Director of Plans, Programs, and Requirements of the Air Combat Command 2015 Succeeded byJeff Taliaferro Preceded byMichael A. Keltz Commander of the Nineteenth Air Force 2015–2017 Succeeded byPatrick J. Doherty Preceded byJeff Taliaferro Deputy Commander for Air of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve 2017–2018 Succeeded byBarre Seguin Preceded byJames J. Malloy Vice Director for Operations of the Joint Staff 2018–2019 Succeeded byJeff Taliaferro Preceded byAnthony J. Cotton Commander and President of the Air University 2019–2022 Succeeded byAndrea Tullos Preceded byJeffrey L. Harrigian Commander of United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa 2022–present Incumbent
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