Robins major receives Bronze Star Published Aug. 6, 2010 By Wayne Crenshaw 78 ABW/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Maj. Wade Cornelius made his first extended deployment to Afghanistan count. Cornelius, 402nd Maintenance Wing executive officer, was awarded the Bronze Star last week by Brig. Gen. Lee Levy, the wing's commander. The major received the honor for his year of service in Afghanistan starting in February 2009. He had been there previously while stationed in Germany, but this was his first extended deployment there. He led a team of three U.S. military personnel, two Ukrainian contractors and two Afghan interpreters. They were tasked to assess, train, advise and equip 40 Afghan Army Air Corps aircraft maintenance personnel, including the squadron commander. He spearheaded a $290 million acquisition effort to acquire 18 C-27 airframes for the Afghans, coordinating with program managers around the world to ensure sustainment of the aircraft through 2016. He was credited with numerous other accomplishments, including initiating a massive effort to inventory 20,000 aircraft parts valued at $17 million. "It was an awesome experience just to be a part history in helping the Afghans become more efficient and stable with their military force so they can protect themselves," he said in an interview prior to the ceremony. Levy told Cornelius' family and co-workers gathered for the ceremony that a Bronze Star is a significant achievement. In fact, Levy pointed out that it was the first time he had presented the medal. "Wade has done some pretty amazing things not only for our country but for the Afghans," he said.