Twitter
Facebook
Gen. James B. Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command, is set to retire this summer after serving 36 years in the U.S. Air Force.
Hecker departed Ramstein Air Base on 3 May after nearly three years as the 37th USAFE-AFAFRICA commander. Since assuming command on June 27, 2022, he has overseen U.S. airpower operations spanning more than 19 million square miles across Europe and Africa, supporting two geographic combatant commands.
While in command, Hecker revolutionized Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Agile Combat Employment, and transformed Air Force design from exclusively exquisite to a high-low mix to get munitions on the right side of the cost curve. He also supported Ukrainian partners, ensuring the seamless integration of F-16s and more than $50 billion in aid.
Hecker engaged directly with partners across the continent at African Air Chief symposiums in Senegal, Tunisia and Zambia on regional issues ranging from violent extremist challenges to air transport sharing mechanisms. Under his watch, his team responded with speed, innovation and precision to move U.S. forces out of Niger.
As the NATO AIRCOM commander, Hecker had oversight for the air and missile defense of 32 NATO Alliance member nations. During exercise Ramstein Flag 2025 he led AIRCOM’s initial ability to execute the first five days of an Air Tasking Order.
He also directed operations in protection of Europe’s Eastern Flank, and swiftly leveraged Sweden and Finland’s air power into the Alliance.
Hecker commissioned in 1989 through the U.S. Air Force Academy. During his career, he attained more than 3,600 flying hours in the F-15C Eagle, F-22 Raptor, MQ-1B Predator, HH-60 Pave Hawk, C-208 Caravan and T-38C Talon.
As the 27th Fighter Squadron commander, Hecker flew the F-22 Raptor on its first two operational sorties over the United States in support of Operation Noble Eagle Jan. 21 and 22, 2006.
Prior to becoming the USAFE-AFAFRICA commander, Hecker served as the Commander and President of Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
Other significant assignments in his career include serving as the Vice Director of Operations for the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, Commander of 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan, and Commander, NATO Air Command-Afghanistan, Director of Air Forces Central Air Component Coordination Element for U.S. Forces-Afghanistan and NATO’s Operation Resolute Support and Deputy Commander-Air for U.S. Forces Afghanistan, and Commander of the 19th Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
