Colonel MICHAEL CORNELIUS

Col. Michael S. Cornelius is the Commander, U. S. Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Preparatory School executes a 10-month highly structured regimen taking Cadet Candidates through basic training to focusing on academics, military training, athletics and character development. Completion of this challenging program for these outstanding young men and women provides them an opportunity to gain an appointment and lead at the U. S. Air Force Academy.

Col. Cornelius graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2000 and is also a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. Following his commission, he went on to serve as a Weapon Systems Officer in the B-1 bomber and supported multiple combat deployments. Over his career he served in leadership roles at the squadron, group, wing, component and major command levels.

EDUCATION
2000 Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
2001 Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, Naval Air Station, Fla.
2002 Electronic Warfare Upgrade Course, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
2003 B-1 Initial Qualification Course, Dyess AFB, Texas
2004 Electronic Combat Coordinator Course, Randolph AFB, Texas
2005 Electronic Warfare Coordinator Course, Randolph AFB, Texas
2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2007 U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2011 Masters of Aeronautical/Aviation Science and Technology, Fla.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, in residence
2012 Masters of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University, Ala.
2012 Air Operations Center Initial Qualification Training, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2013 Special Technical Operations Planners Course, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
2015 Chief of Safety Course, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
2015 Safety and Accident Investigation Board President Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2016 Air War College, by correspondence
2019 Inspector General Training Course, Inspector, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2019 Readiness Exercise Advanced Planning, Execution and Reporting (REAPER) Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
2019 Inspector General Training Course, Complaints Resolution, Va.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2022-Present, Commander, U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.
2. May 2021-May 2022, Deputy Director, USAFE-SOCEUR Joint Integration Coordination Cell (JICC), Ramstein Air Base, Germany
3. June 2020-May 2021, Chief of Combat Operations, 603 Air Operations Center, Ramstein AB, Germany
4. June 2019-June 2020, Inspector General, 7 Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas
5. May 2017-May 2019, Commander, 77 Weapons Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas
6. May 2016-May 2017, Director of Operations, 77 Weapons Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas
7. July 2015-May 2016, Chief of Safety, 7 Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas
8. June 2013-June 2015, Chief, Targeting Effects Team, 603 Air Operations Center, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
9. August 2012-June 2013, Chief, Master Air Attack Plan Team, 603 Air Operations Center, Ramstein AB, Germany
10. October 2010-June 2011, Assistant Director of Operations and Weapons School Instructor, 77 Weapons Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas
11. October 2009-October 2010, Flight Commander and Weapons School Instructor, 77 Weapons Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas
12. June 2009-October 2009, Deputy Wing Weapons Officer, 7 Operational Support Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas
13. June 2008-June 2009, Chief, Weapons and Tactics, 28 Bomb Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas
14. June 2007-June 2008, Deputy Chief, B-1 Flight Instructor Course, 28 Bomb Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas
15. October 2005-December 2006, Wing Electronic Warfare Officer, 28 Operational Support Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
16. March 2003-October 2005, B-1 Weapon Systems Officer and Instructor, 34 Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
17. July 2002-March 2003, Student, B-1 Initial Qualification Training, 28 Bomb Squadron, Dyess AFB, Texas
18. August 2000-September 2001, Student, Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and eight oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long Tour with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Longevity Service with four oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon

PUBLICATIONS
Nontraditional Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance – Making the Most of Airborne Assets, The Wright Flyer Papers No. 50, Air University Press, Air Force Research Institute (2015)
A Soldier Is Not a Soldier Without Training, Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center Digital Collections, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama (2011)

(Current as of August 2023)