[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 126 (Tuesday, October 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES B. HECKER, U.S. AIR FORCE

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize and say farewell to an outstanding Air Force officer, 
Lieutenant Colonel Jim ``Scorch'' Hecker, upon his departure from my 
staff. Lieutenant Colonel Hecker was selected as an Air Force Fellow to 
work in my office during the Second Session of the 107th Congress due 
to his professional reputation and superior knowledge of Defense 
issues, the United States Air Force requirements process, and the 
military presence in my home State. He has been a valued team member 
and it is a privilege for me to recognize his many outstanding 
achievements and the superior service he has provided the United States 
Senate, the Air Force, and our Nation.
  Lieutenant Colonel Hecker, the son of Rick Hecker and Cindy Walker, 
was a graduate of the Air Force Academy where he was commissioned as a 
Second Lieutenant. Since then, Lieutenant Colonel Hecker has spent the 
majority of his career patrolling the world's skies as an Air Force 
fighter pilot. Following flight training, he began his service flying 
the F-15C ``Eagle'' in the 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Tactical Fighter 
Wing at Holloman AFB, NM. When the F-15C's left Holloman AFB, so did 
Lieutenant Colonel Hecker. He was reassigned to the 390th Fighter 
Squadron, 366th Wing, Mountain Home AFB, ID. During this tour, 
Lieutenant Colonel Hecker was instrumental in bedding down the F-15C 
aircraft in the first Composite Wing in the Air Force. After this tour, 
Lieutenant Colonel Hecker attended the Air Force Weapons School at 
Nellis AFB, NV with a follow-on tour at the 44th Fighter Squadron, 18th 
Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. As the squadron Weapons Officer, Lieutenant 
Colonel Hecker was the lead pilot responsible for preparing the 
squadron to go to war. During this tour, Lieutenant Colonel Hecker 
deployed in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH where he led combat 
missions patrolling the skies over Iraq enforcing the no-fly zone. In 
July 1998, Lieutenant Colonel Hecker was handpicked to return as an 
instructor at the Air Force Weapons School where he deployed in support 
of Operation ALLIED FORCE. Lieutenant Colonel Hecker led 10 combat 
missions and was the focal point in the Combined Air Operations Center 
C5 Strategy Cell for resolving air-to-air issues. In 2000, Lieutenant 
Colonel Hecker left the cockpit to serve on the staff of the Secretary 
of the Air Force in Washington, DC as an Air Force Senate Liaison 
Officer and then was selected to serve as a Military Legislative Fellow 
during the 2nd session of the 107th Congress.
  Lieutenant Colonel Hecker quickly became a valued member of my staff 
sharing his proven operational experience and insightful knowledge on a 
number of Department of Defense issues, including defense health care, 
operational beddown of C-17 and C-130J aircraft, various weapons 
systems, military construction, university research programs, and 
economic development projects. Specifically, Jim was instrumental in 
helping the Air Force gain Congressional support for the F/A-22 
aircraft and solve the weather radar problem with the WC-130J aircraft 
at Keesler AFB. He helped me articulate a successful case for adding 
funding for additional maintenance training simulators and military 
construction projects that will help ensure the successful beddown in 
Jackson, MS of the first ever C-17 aircraft assigned to the National 
Guard. He successfully negotiated with Northrop Grumman Corporation to 
move the production of the Global Hawk's wing as well as full assembly 
of the Fire Scout to Mississippi. Lieutenant Colonel Hecker's 
coordination with the staffs of the Senate Armed Services Committee and 
the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee led to over $108 million 
in military construction funding for Mississippi's military bases.
  Lieutenant Colonel Hecker is married to the former Terrie Lee Draney 
of Colorado Springs, CO. They have two children, 7 year-old son Jaden 
and 5 year-old son Colton. The Congress and the country applaud the 
selfless commitment his entire family has made to the Nation in 
supporting his military career. Among Lieutenant Colonel Hecker's many 
awards and decorations are the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak 
leaf clusters, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, and Air Force 
Achievement Medal along with numerous other campaign and unit 
distinctions.
  Lieutenant Colonel Hecker will return to the Air Force at Langley 
AFB, VA where he will once again control the skies in the F-15C. I have 
appreciated greatly Lieutenant Colonel Hecker's contributions to my 
team and I will miss him. On behalf of my colleagues on both sides of 
the aisle, I wish Lieutenant Colonel Hecker and his family ``Good 
Hunting and Godspeed.''

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