Major Cornes is a native of Napa, California and commissioned in the Marine Corps in May 2013 after graduating from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. Following commissioning he attended The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, from July 2013 to January 2014. In January 2014, 2ndLt Cornes reported to Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 to begin flight training. 1stLt Cornes completed flight training out of NAS Corpus Christi and was designated as a Naval Aviator in February 2016.
After completing fight training, 1stLt Cornes reported in March 2016 to VMMT-204 at MCAS New River for initial MV-22 flight training. While at VMMT-204, 1stLt Cornes served as a daily schedule writer in the Operations Department. He completed training and was designated as a MV-22 pilot in July 2016.
In August 2016, 1stLt Cornes reported to MCAS Miramar to join the Sea Elk of VMM-166 where he served initially as the squadron's Adjutant. He promoted to Captain in December 2017. He deployed with VMM-166 (Reinforced) as the 13th MEU ACE from July 2018 to February 2019. During this deployment, Captain Cornes participated in numerous Theater Security Cooperation Exercises in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East, support to Operation Inherent Resolve, and support to various Joint Task Forces. Upon return from deployment with the 13th MEU, Captain Cornes was assigned as the Airframes and Corrosion Control OIC in March 2019. In April 2020, he deployed again with VMM-166 (Reinforced) as the ACE of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command 20.2 and returned in October 2020. During this deployment Captain Cornes supported several Special Operations Joint Task Forces and Operation Inherent Resolve.
In February 2021, Captain Cornes reported to Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific to attend Tactical Air Control Party Course. Captain Cornes completed TACP Course in March 2021 and was designated as a Forward Air Controller.
In March 2021, Captain Cornes reported to Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California, for duty as the Assistant Air Officer. While at Mountain Warfare Training Center, Captain Cornes instructed and assessed battalion and regimental staffs on high altitude and cold weather aviation operations over the course of eight Mountain Exercises and nine iterations of Mountain Staff Planning Course. Captain Cornes also provided instruction on high altitude and cold weather aviation operations to seven Mountain Leader Courses and seven Mountain and Cold Weather Medicine Courses.
In May 2023, Captain Cornes reported to back to VMMT-204 for refresher MV-22 training and promoted to Major. He completed refresher MV-22 training in July 2023 and reported to the Red Dragons of VMM-268 onboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii where he was assigned the duties of Aircraft Maintenance Officer. In May 2024 Major Cornes deployed with VMM-268 (Reinforced) as the ACE for Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) 24.3. During this deployment he participated in numerous exercises with Australian and other allied and partner nations throughout Australia's Northern Territory and in Indonesia. He returned from the MRF-D deployment in October 2024. He assumed his present duties as Executive Officer in February 2025.
Major Cornes has flown over 1,370 hours of mishap free flight, including over 1,180 hours in the MV-22. His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.