Former vice commander to assume command in May Published April 15, 2013 By 040413 VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Nina Armagno will relinquish command of the 30th Space Wing to Col. Keith Balts, who is currently deployed, in a change of command ceremony slated for May 28 at the parade grounds here. Balts will assume command from Armagno upon her selection for reassignment to Patrick AFB, Fla. where she will serve as commander of the 45th Space Wing. "I have no doubt in my mind that Col. Balts will take this wing to the next level," said Armagno. "The 30th Space Wing will be in very good hands." Balts's past assignments include squadron, numbered Air Force, major command and national agency levels. He commanded a space warning squadron and the Air Force's largest isolated installation within the continental U.S. He also served in the Combine Air Operations Centers for Operations Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. Balts served as the vice wing commander for the 30th Space Wing from August 2010 to May 2012. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis., Baltz earned a Master of Engineering in space operations at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Colo., a Master of Military Operational Art and Science at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Ala., and a Master of Arts in national security strategic studies at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster. -30-