Nina M . Armagno Nina M . Armagno is a Brigadier General in the United States Air Force and is commander of the 45th Space Wing . Biography . Education . Armagno received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1988 , from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs , Colorado . She graduated Squadron Officer School in 1992 , at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama . She received a Master of Arts degree in 1999 , in Education Administration and Management , from Chapman University in California . She graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in 2000 , by correspondence . In 2002 , she participated in an Air Force Legislative Fellowship in Washington , D . C . In 2003 , she received a certificate in Legislative Studies from Georgetown University in Washington , D . C . She graduated from the Air War College in 2003 , by correspondence . In 2007 , she received a Master of Science degree , in National Security Studies , from the National War College in Washington , D . C . In 2010 , she attended the United States Air Force Enterprise Leadership Seminar at the University of Virginia , Darden School of Business , in Virginia . Also in 2010 , she attended the Leadership Development Program at the Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs , Colorado . Military service . Armagno entered the Air Force after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy , Colorado , in June 1988 . Her experience in space systems operations includes combat mission ready operator , instructor , evaluator and flight commander in strategic missile warning , space surveillance , space control , space launch and theater missile warning mission areas . She was the operations officer at the 1st Space Launch Squadron , Cape Canaveral Air Force Station , Florida . Prior to her current assignment , Armagno served as the Commander , 30th Space Wing , Vandenberg Air Force Base , California , responsible for space lift and range operations , and support of operational and developmental missile system testing for the Department of Defense from the West Coast of the United States . She has served as the installation commander of the 6th Space Warning Squadron at Cape Cod Air Force Station , Massachusetts , the commander and deputy commander , 21st Operations Group , Peterson Air Force Base , Colorado , as the Department of Defense senior military assistant and chief of staff to the director , Operational Test and Evaluation , Office of the Secretary of Defense . In addition , she has held staff assignments at Headquarters U . S . Air Force , Headquarters Air Force Space Command , Headquarters 14th Air Force and the 381st Training Group and served as an Air Force Legislative Fellow in the office of Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher . Current assignment . Armagno is the Commander , 45th Space Wing , and Director , Eastern Range , Patrick Air Force Base , Florida , since June 12 , 2013 . She is responsible for the processing and launching of U . S . government and commercial satellites from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station , Florida . She is also the final approval authority for all launches on the Eastern Range , a 15 - million - square - mile area which supports an average of 15 launches per year aboard Delta , Atlas , Falcon , Navy and emerging launch vehicles . In addition , she manages wing launch and range infrastructure supporting NASA , commercial and missile test missions .