Ops group commander named 'Woman of Influence' Published Oct. 12, 2010 By Monica Mendoza 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Col. Nina Armagno, 21st Operations Group commander, has been named a "Woman of Influence" by the Colorado Springs Business Journal. Colonel Armagno is one of 30 women named in this year's Women of Influence list, which includes heads of private businesses, nonprofits and government figures. "I'm very humbled to be included among the notable leaders from our community to accept this honor," Colonel Armagno said. "The only influence I truly have is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of those Airmen who serve this great nation, day in and day out, at my side." Colonel Armagno commands the largest operations group in Air Force Space Command, which includes more than 1,700 joint-force servicemembers, civilians and contractors serving 16 units around the world. Their work includes space surveillance and space control, airfield operations, weather support and providing classified intelligence support while deploying combat ready Airmen to support overseas contingency operations. She also has direct oversight and guidance on the 21st OG budget of $180 million and supervises operations for a $3.25 billion space surveillance budget. Her superb management of million dollar budgets supported by the American tax payer has earned the attention of Air Force leaders, who recently lauded the early finish of the Air Force's largest radar upgrade in 22 years, a $240 million missile defense project supervised by Colonel Armagno. In addition, the 21st OG recently was awarded the Meritorious Unit Award from Air Force Space Command for providing more than 10,000 man-days of space operations support for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Colonel Armagno said she had been influenced by many people in both career and in life. "My parents and grandparents certainly influenced me by grounding me in a foundation of working hard and respecting people," she said. "Early in my Air Force career, I was influenced by (then) Capt. Terry Djuric who was my first female role model. Today, she is Brig. Gen. Djuric and still one of the best examples of leadership I've ever seen." She also said she is influence by the Airmen in her command, " men and women of the USAF who impress me every day with their initiative, dedication, and talent," she said.