Airman of Minot

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Richmond
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

Captain Kevin Cornell is a Helicopter Instructor Pilot for the 54th Helicopter Squadron. Originally from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Cornell became a member of Team Minot in August 2017. 

“[What I like about Minot is] “Definitely the community, without a doubt,” said Cornell. “I elected to stay here longer just because the community has always been so great. The summers are awesome as well.”

Cornell’s duties include training others how to pilot a helicopter, stay safe and ready to perform missions when called upon. “Without the awesome people here, the winters would be a little bit longer of course but the community that we do have here is just such an awesome thing that we have. We call ourselves the ‘beavers’, that’s our call sign. Without our beaver family, it would’ve been a lot harder to get through these last four years and whatnot, without the support or having the camaraderie between all each other. That’s been the best thing for sure,” said Cornell. “Something that keeps me motivated is helping out others and seeing them grow. I’ve really come to enjoy instructing and when I see that someone else is picking up what I’m putting down, then that really helps out themselves, which is helping out myself as well. It’s a good feeling to help out and know that they’re learning something,” said Cornell. 

Cornell has also received recognition as of late, by being awarded the 2020 Helicopter Instructor Pilot of the Year Award. This award recognizes the outstanding performance of the helicopter instructor pilot making the most significant contribution to the Air Force Global Strike Command helicopter flying mission. “I was surprised and very grateful,” said Cornell. “It just kind of affirmed that when I like what I do, it’s like ‘yeah, this is probably a good thing, I should probably keep going down this path.’ Which I definitely am going to. It just really affirmed what I’m doing.”

Cornell intends to fly as much as he can while continuing to give helicopter pilot lessons and staying connected with family

In his free time, Cornell enjoys giving general aviation lessons outside of work whilst flying around and giving people rides, as well as cooking and woodworking.