Lt. Gen. James B. Hecker, Commander and President of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, will address “U.S. Global Military Operations: A Joint Staff Perspective” during a presentation to the Alabama World Affairs Council on March 17 at Troy University’s Montgomery Campus.

The event, which will take place in the Gold Room in Whitley Hall at Troy University’s Montgomery Campus, will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the presentation, which is free to members of the Alabama World Affairs Council and $20 for guests. To register for the event, visit www.alwac.org/events.

Lt. Gen. Hecker was commissioned in the Air Force in 1989 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was both a graduate and instructor at the U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course. He has commanded at the squadron, group, wing and numbered Air Force levels. The general last served as Vice Director of Operations, Joint Staff, the Pentagon.

Lt. Gen. Hecker is a command pilot with more than 3,500 hours flying various aircraft including the F-15C Eagle, F-22 Raptor, MQ-1B Predator, HH-60 Pave Hawk, C-208 Caravan and the T-38C Talon. He has flown combat missions in operations Southern Watch, Allied Force, Resolute Support and Freedom’s Sentinel. Among his many decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal with combat “C” device.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master’s in Aeronautical Sciences, from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also served as a Congressional Legislative Fellow.

As Commander and President of Air University, Lt. Gen. Hecker leads the intellectual and leadership center of the U.S. Air Force, which graduates more than 50,000 residents and 120,000 non-resident officers, enlisted and civilian personnel each year. Additionally, he is responsible for officer commissioning through the Officer Training School and the Reserve Officer Training Corps.

The Alabama World Affairs Council sponsors lectures and programs on current and recent events of national and international interest throughout the year with the aim to increase individuals’ knowledge of world affairs and how they impact the United States. The Council also serves as a platform to showcase some of the world-class faculty at Maxwell Air Force Base’s Air University. The Council has partnered with Troy University, Alabama’s International University, bringing all Council events to the University’s Montgomery Campus.