COMMANDING OFFICER
Commander Piero Pecora
CDR Pecora, a native of Nashville, TN, graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management. His first assignment upon commissioning was as Deck Watch Officer aboard USCGC MORGENTHAU in Alameda, CA. CDR Pecora has also served afloat as Weapons Officer aboard USCGC BERTHOLF in Alameda, CA; Operations Officer aboard USCGC LEGARE in Portsmouth, VA; and as Executive Officer aboard USCGC VIGOROUS in Virginia Beach, VA. He assumed command of USCGC TAHOMA on July 7, 2022.
CDR Pecora most recently served as Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. He led more than 300 personnel and six cutters assigned to US FIFTH Fleet conducting maritime security and national defense operations throughout the Arabian Gulf. His staff executed the recapitalization of the task group, simultaneously bringing six newly commissioned Sentinel Class Patrol Craft into theater while decommissioning and divesting of six Island Class Patrol Boats. In his previous assignment ashore, CDR Pecora spearheaded the establishment of the Coast Guard’s Audit, Inspection, and Assessment Governance Office in which he led the service-wide initiative to standardize all internal compliance activities. This process aligned the Coast Guard’s operational compliance programs with Government Accountability Office practices while reducing related field burden by nearly 70%. CDR Pecora previously served with the First Coast Guard District’s Planning staff in Boston, MA; Seventh Coast Guard District’s Response staff in Miami, FL; and Eleventh Coast Guard District’s Response Staff in Alameda, CA. CDR Pecora holds a Master of Business Administration from American Military University.
CDR Pecora’s various personal and unit awards are a testament to the scores of phenomenal shipmates he has been honored to serve with throughout his eighteen years of service and eight years at sea.
He is married to his academy sweetheart, CDR Krystyn Pecora of Chicago, IL. A permanent cutterman as well, their stalwart support has been critical to each other’s professional success and personal fulfillment during a combined 16 years of sea duty. Their son Osceola (6) is extremely adamant that he is in the Coast Guard too!