In a traditional and very moving ceremony earlier this month in Newport News, Virginia, CDR Jon Quimby was relieved of command of the USS MONTANA by CDR John Gilligan as part of the U.S. Navy’s normal succession and career development processes.

Captain Brian Hogan, Commodore and Commander of Submarine Squadron 8 to which SSN 794 is assigned until her forthcoming move to the Pacific Fleet, had strong praise for both officers. He summarized a number of accomplishments and awards of the MONTANA and her crew under CDR Quimby’s leadership through and beyond her commissioning. And he had high praise for CDR Gilligan who comes to the MONTANA with solid submarine experience as he prepares to take her to a new home port and on her first missions.

CDR Quimby, who has visited Big Sky Country a number of times with MONTANA sailors, and with whom the USS Montana Committee has worked closely, had wonderful things to say about the state and her people who have shown strong support for SSN 794 and her crew.

Later Committee Chairman Bill Whitsitt indicated that the feelings were mutual, and urged CDR Quimby and his family to visit Montana whenever they can. He presented the former commanding officer with a cowboy hat as a reminder that, by proclamation of Governor Gianforte, he and his family – and all crew members – are honorary Montanans.

CDR Quimby was also presented with a state flag flown over the State Capitol at the Governor’s request.

CDR Gilligan spoke about how pleased he is to be joining the MONTANA and her crew, and how much he appreciates the support that has been given them by the people of the Treasure State. He said he is looking forward to working with the USS Montana Committee and visiting Montana when that is possible given the work ahead to move the submarine to Pearl Harbor and then prepare for deployment.

In addition to thanking his family for their support during his entire career, the new commanding officer had some special words for the crew: “You are an amazing team with unlimited potential. I’m so grateful you volunteered to defend our nation and our families. I’m excited to work with you to get this great warship back to sea. I look forward to transiting to the Pacific where our country needs us the most, where we will stand together to deter any adversary, maintain the seas free, and keep our nation safe.
America’s submarine force is our key advantage and American Submariners are the finest in the world. I couldn’t be more proud of this crew I’m now part of.”

Following the official Change of Command ceremony, the new commanding officer (on the left in the photo, with CDR Quimby on the right) received two special gifts from the Committee: an inspirational Montana hiking stick made by a young Montana artisan to rotate among the most senior sailors over the life of the boat, and a professional recording of a powerful tribal victory/war song to be played aboard the MONTANA if or when the crew is called to battle stations.

CDR Quimby and sailors had visited the Tribal Council Chambers of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation in Pablo earlier this year and heard the Brothers Drum group supported by the Yamencut group recording the song.

A letter provided to CDR Gilligan and the MONTANA with the recording read in part, “…we hope that the song will always be a reminder to her crew of the support of them by our Native People — and if called to battle they will be especially inspired to victory by it.”

We wish CDR Quimby and his family all the best in his new assignment, and welcome CDR Gilligan as the new commander of the USS MONTANA – and the new status he and his family have as honorary Montanans!