Lusaka, Zambia -- On Feb. 19, Gen. James B. Hecker, the U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa commander, attended the third day of the 14th African Air Chiefs Symposium.
The day began with Hecker and Command Chief Master Sgt. Randy Kwiatkowski, the U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa command chief, participating in a Commander-Senior Enlisted Leader panel along with their counterparts from Zambia, Kenya, and Madagascar. The panel members discussed how commanders and SELs across Africa and the United States partner with their SEL or noncommissioned officer president to achieve mission goals, care for personnel and develop their forces to enhance leadership and readiness.
Following the panel, Hecker participated in an executive session with the other 29 Association of African Air Forces member air chiefs. The air chiefs discussed and voted on three topics: the African NCO Handbook, the Association of African Air Forces Flag, and the AAAF anthem. The air chiefs voted in favor of all three initiatives.
After the executive session, Hecker conducted bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Tunisia, Egypt, and Kenya. His discussions focused on strengthening military partnerships, furthering humanitarian assistance disaster relief efforts and exploring collaboration opportunities.
Following the bilateral meetings, the AAAF co-chairmen, General Hecker and Zambia Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Oscar Nyoni, participated in an online media availability. The Generals shared updates about the progress made at AACS 2025 and responded to questions from media about the association, its mission and history, and the process to operationalize the association in the future.
To finish the day, Hecker and his fellow air chiefs received a debrief of the tabletop exercise. The debrief informed the air chiefs about the achievements and challenges of this year’s TTX as well as what the association will continue to work on as it moves toward the live-fly exercise in 2026.