GFAFB maintenance group commander relinquishes command

Col. Ricky J. Cornelio relinquished command of the 319th Maintenance Group to Col. Don Shaffer, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, in a ceremony April 30. As the Group Commander he was responsible for organizing, equipping and training the group’s more than 300 person workforce across two squadrons to support and maintain the wing’s 12 KC-135 aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Suellyn Nuckolls)

GFAFB maintenance group commander relinquishes command

Col. Ricky J. Cornelio was presented the Legion of Merit by Col. Don Shaffer, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, at a ceremony April 30. Colonel Cornelio also relinquished command of the 319th Maintenance Group at the same ceremony. As the Group Commander he was responsible for organizing, equipping and training the group’s more than 300 person workforce across two squadrons to support and maintain the wing’s 12 KC-135 aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Suellyn Nuckolls)

GFAFB maintenance group commander relinquishes command

“This Airman is humbled and honored as I stand before you today,” said Col. Ricky J. Cornelio at his relinquishment ceremony of the 319th Maintenance Group April 30. As the Group Commander he was responsible for organizing, equipping and training the group’s more than 300 person workforce across two squadrons to support and maintain the wing’s 12 KC-135 aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Suellyn Nuckolls)

GFAFB maintenance group commander relinquishes command

Published May 3, 2010
By 2nd Lt. Anastasia Wasem
319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Col. Ricky J. Cornelio relinquished command of the 319th Maintenance Group to Col. Don Shaffer, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, in a ceremony April 30.

Colonel Cornelio relinquished command to take a position at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

"This Airman is humbled and honored as I stand before you today," said Colonel Cornelio at the ceremony. "Honored that I've had the opportunity to live in a fantastic community, be part of an outstanding unit, the 319th Air Refueling Wing, and lead the finest men and women in any maintenance group in the United States Air Force," he continued in his speech.

At the ceremony, Colonel Cornelio was presented the Legion of Merit by Colonel Shaffer for his superb leadership, exemplary foresight and ceaseless efforts while at Grand Forks Air Force Base.

"The MXG was a lot different when Rick got here two years ago. We had 36 aircraft, 750 people assigned in three different squadrons," said Colonel Shaffer about Colonel Cornelio. "One of the hardest things you can do as a commander is stand-down your unit at the same time you're expected to maintain full operational capability and execution in a combat zone. And to do it the way Rick has is just phenomenal."

As the Group Commander Colonel Cornelio was responsible for organizing, equipping and training the group's more than 300-person workforce across two squadrons to support and maintain the wing's 12 KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft.

"From the high tempo of Tanker Airlift Control Center taskings to multiple deployments around the world, you continued to lead in Air Mobility Command in all the positive metrics that are measured," said Colonel Cornelio as he thanked the Airmen of his group for their hard work and dedication.