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Air Station Cape Cod Command
Command Biographies
Captain David Throop, Commanding Officer
Captain David Throop assumed command of Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod on April 22, 2010. He previously served as the Chief of Officer Personnel, Coast Guard Personnel Service Center in Arlington, Virginia, where he was responsible for all selection boards, promotions, assignments, career management, evaluations, separations, and retirements for the Coast Guard officer and warrant officer corps.
Prior to his assignment at the Personnel Service Center, Captain Throop served as the Commanding Officer of Air Station Traverse City, Michigan. His other career assignments include: Operations and Executive Officer at Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, Georgia; analyst for the Office of Plans, Policy and Evaluation and as the platform manager for the HC-130J, both at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC; H65 helicopter standardization and instructor pilot at the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama; and as a duty pilot at Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, California. He earned his wings in 1988 at Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida. His first tour following graduation from the Coast Guard Academy was as a Deck Watch Officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant (WMEC-617) in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
His decorations include the four Meritorious Service Medals, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and numerous unit and team commendations. He has accumulated over 3500 flight hours and has an FAA commercial pilots license in both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft.
He is a native of Burton, Michigan, and a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He received a Master of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1998 and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in 2005.
MCPO Rees
On 10 AUG 2006 Master Chief Keith Rees assumed the duties of Command Master Chief for Air Station Cape Cod. In addition, Master Chief Rees serves as the Chief of the Mess for the area’s consolidated Chief’s Mess which is comprised of chiefs from the entire Cape and Islands region.
Master Chief Rees has served in the Coast Guard for 25 years and was advanced to Chief Petty Officer in 1998. His most recent assignment was Coast Guard Air Station/Group Astoria, Oregon where he served as the unit’s Leading Chief Petty Officer.
Master Chief Rees is a native of Torrance, California and graduated from North Torrance High School in 1983. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard on September 6, 1983 at the age of 17, and completed recruit training in November the same year. His first assignment was Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay, located in McKinleyville, California. He was then assigned to the CGC Point Ledge; home ported in Fort Bragg, California where he served as an engineering watch stander. Upon graduation from Aviation Structural Mechanic “A” School, he was assigned to CGAS Sitka, in Southeastern, Alaska. His other duty stations include: an additional tour at CGAS Sitka, two tours at CGAS Cape Cod, MA, CGAS Elizabeth City, NC, and Air Station/Group Astoria, OR.
Master Chief Rees is a graduate of many specialized training courses including the Senior Enlisted Command Master Chief Course in New London, CT.
Master Chief Rees’ military decorations include the Air Medal, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, Commandants Letter of Commendation Ribbon, and the Meritorious Team Commendation Ribbon. Other distinctions include: Coast Guard aircrewman insignia and the LT Robert A. Perchard Memorial Trophy for exhibiting outstanding aircrew professionalism.
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Air Station Cape Cod Ombudsman
The Air Station Cape Cod’s Ombudsman is a volunteer (who may be a Spouse, Reservist, or Auxilliarist) that is designated by a command to serve as a link between the command and families, assisting the command in its functions of providing information and related services to families regarding sources of assistance available to them, Coast Guard and command policies, and activities of interest to family members. CAPT Throop stresses that "a successful military career is the ultimate "Team Sport." All family members are affected by the military member's decision to serve our country. The Ombudsman serves a vital link for the commanding officer, ensuring the command meets the needs of the vital, military family." The Air Station Cape Cod Ombudsman is Nicole Schmalz and she may be reached at 508-274-9978 or email Nicole.L.Schmalz@uscg.mil.
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