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
US Air Force Command Pilot BadgeOffice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification BadgeAir Staff BadgeWeapons School Graduate Patch Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterDefense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clustersLegion of Merit with two oak leaf clustersMeritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clustersAir Medal with "C" device and two oak leaf clustersAerial Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clustersAir Force Achievement MedalJoint Meritorious Unit Award with four oak leaf clustersAir Force Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf clusterAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clustersAir Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf clusterCombat Readiness MedalNational Defense Service Medal with one bronze service starArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two service starsSouthwest Asia Service Medal with service starKosovo Campaign Medal with service starAfghanistan Campaign Medal with service starGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalArmed Forces Service MedalHumanitarian Service Medal with service starAir and Space Campaign MedalAir Force Overseas Short Tour Service RibbonAir Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with three oak leaf clustersAir Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frameAir Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonAir Force Training RibbonNATO Medal for Kosovo with service star
Effective dates of promotions + Rank Date 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