Photo By Master Sgt. Andrew Lee | Staff Sgt. Korey Cornelis directs a C-17 airplane to its designated location on the...... read more read more
Senior Airman Andrew Lee
9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq Public Affairs
ALI AIR BASE, Iraq - When someone thinks of fishing, they imagine casting a line in the middle of a lake with the hopes of reeling in a scaly, finned underwater creature. However, with not much more than a flashlight and simple hand signals, Staff Sgt. Korey Cornelis catches some of the biggest fish ever on a flight line in the middle of the Iraqi desert.
Cornelis and the other members of the transient alert team continually and carefully marshal in all different types of aircraft at Ali Air Base, Iraq.
The Mill Creek, Indiana, native brings his fishing expertise as a tactical aircraft maintainer to the 407th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron here from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
On a daily basis, using nothing but his complete attention to detail and guiding skills, Cornelis quickly and accurately instructs the pilots who have just landed to their designated locations. He has the large responsibility of directing the aircraft down the right flight line path.
Any mistake originating from inattention, improper signaling to the pilots or miscommunication with the air traffic control tower could create chaos on the flight line leading to damaged aircraft or injured personnel as well as possible mission failure.
“If you have this job, you have to pay attention and be aware of what’s going on around the entire flight line,” Cornelis said. “When you’re out there on the job, you are responsible for taking care of all the equipment and the lives on the aircraft, so making certain you’re doing job correctly and quickly, is a major priority.”
With as tough and as stressful as the job can be, Cornelis enjoys the mission and the hectic work tempo.
“I hold the benefit of having the position I have here,” Cornelis said. “I get to see and work with a large variety of military aircraft, from the big ones like a C-17 airplane to the small like a Black Hawk helicopter.”
One month into his third deployment to the desert, he has already hooked and reeled in more than 500 aircraft, and the numbers per day keep climbing. The later it’s gets into the year; the increased numbers of planes and helicopters will be guided in by Cornelis, because of the U.S. reposturing their forces and transitioning control back to Iraq.
“My mission here is great,” said the motorcycle enthusiast. “My team and I see more and more aircraft as we go along into our deployment because we’re in the process of giving this country back to the Iraqi forces, so it makes time go by quickly since it’s a non-stop job.”
His job here also allows him to work in a joint military setting, which for him isn’t too hard to adjust. He uses his opportunities working with coalition forces to learn another perspective while he’s at work.
“Here we work in a joint environment with the U.S. Army, but it’s not too different compared to my home station,” Cornelis said. “I work with military from other countries at Eglin AFB, so I’m used to working in a joint atmosphere, but this chance working with the Army I get to see their angle of my job.”
The role he has is vital to his base and Operation New Dawn, so he knows he has to stay focused, motivated and continue to do his job to the fullest.
“We’re the lifeline in and out here,” Cornelis said. “We have the Air Force mission to bring in and out passengers and cargo. We also help send the ones redeploying back to their families, it’s a rewarding experience.”
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.11.2011 08:34 |
| Story ID: | 66851 |
| Location: | ALI AIR BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 222 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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