The support was amazing, and the love for our military and the CO and crew members from the USS MONTANA could be felt at every part of last week’s “Home State Visit” to Helena, Great Falls, Fort Benton and Missoula! All along the way, Montanans wanted to meet and visit with their guests.

As part of the ongoing program by the USS Montana Committee to organize Big Sky Country visits by those serving aboard the nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, the MONTANA’s commanding officer, CDR John Gilligan, selected a stellar group to learn more about Montana’s people, history, culture, economy and beauty while also sharing insights about their warship and its roles in the Navy’s Pacific Fleet.

In addition to CDR Gilligan, included were:
– Chief of the Boat Ernie Scott, the highest-ranking enlisted crew member aboard SSN 794;
– Petty Officer First Class and Chief-select Jonathan Mossie, the 2024 Sailor of the Year;
– Petty Officer Second Class Kelly Beilfuss, 2024 Junior Sailor of the Year; and,
– Petty Officer Third class Jhony Xocuaurbano, 2024 Blue Jacket of the Year.

The week beginning on Monday, September 8, was packed with travel, meaningful stops to absorb the power of historic places, public events and media interviews. As meaningful were the many opportunities to simply talk one-on-one with Montanans from all walks of life.

In Helena the CO and sailors began their media interactions with local and statewide broadcasts. Interviews and event coverage continued all week.

(For an example, click here to listen to Montana Talks host Tom Schultz visiting with CDR Gilligan and the sailors with him.)

They had a preview of the Montana Historical Society’s new Montana Heritage Center museum that will be open to the public for the first time in December.

In addition to seeing the leading-edge-technology exhibits coming together to showcase Montana’s history and culture as never before, the visitors got to see the silver service that had been aboard the first USS MONTANA, Armored Cruiser Number 13, that was commissioned in 1908. Aboard the new submarine is a 3-D-scanned-and-printed exact copy of one of the most famous original silver services pieces.

At a public lunch, CDR Gilligan talked about the capabilities of the USS MONTANA. He had the sailors join him to answer questions about any topic of interest, especially life aboard a submarine.

A Capital tour gave the CO and crew members additional feel for many aspects of Montana’s history, many illustrated by works of cowboy artist Charlie Russell and others.

Governor Greg Gianforte invited the group in for a visit – very fitting since at the commissioning of the MONTANA in 2022 he had proclaimed all crew members to be forever honorary Montanans!

There was a stop on the way to Great Falls to see the Gates of the Mountains from a boat on the Missouri River and to learn about the famous and tragic Mann Gulch Fire.

In Great Falls, there was a visit to the C.M. Russell Museum to learn more about the famous artist, some of whose most well-known pieces are reprinted aboard SSN 795.

The “missileers’ of Malmstrom Air Force Base’s 341st Missile Wing provided a look at the state’s role in hosting a significant share of the nations strategic nuclear deterrence force.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805-6 was a focus of the CO and crew visit from start to finish, with a highlight being the U.S. Forest Service-run Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. There the visitors learned about the expedition’s portage around the Great Falls of the Missouri on its way toward the Rocky Mountains.

A very special event sponsored by the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce included a public reception. Native dances and drumming led to the sailors joining-in.

(Click here for a full, fun television news report that aired on KRTV in Great Falls.)

The Little Shell Tribe, that donated transportation for the early part of the visit, hosted a traditional Indigenous dinner for the Navy personnel.

Next on the itinerary was a full day in the historic town of Fort Benton on the Missouri River about forty miles northeast of Great Falls.

Beginning at an overlook with Fort Benton below, the townspeople and surrounding neighbors provided an experience not likely to be forgotten.

A Montana Highway Patrol escort, joined by a shiny fire engine, led the way to a surprise rally of the entire Fort Benton High School plus parents and public.

CDR Gilligan and the sailors enjoyed speaking and answering questions from the students.

As is most common, came the question, “How long can you stay under water?” The “until the food runs out” answer always gets a chuckle.

There were personalized Fort Benton Longhorn football Jerseys for all, and an arc created to honor the crew as it left – to “Anchors Aweigh” which also happens to be the Longhorn fight song.

Fort Benton’s history was front-and-center all day and beyond. Once the farthest-north seaport in the U.S., the town’s levy for many years saw steamboats docked to unload all kinds of goods brought up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to be put on wagons to continue on west, or north to Canada.

There were visits to the Old Fort Museum. To see a replica of the Keelboat Mandan that would have been common on the Missouri long after seen on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. A catered lunch on the historic steel “old bridge” across the Missouri.

There was a visit to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Upper Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center. And a tour of the Agricultural Museum with a public and veterans reception there – and more opportunities to meet and engage with Montanans.

There was a visit about at the College of Business about online programs there and at UM in general, with questions about coordination of military and other benefits, credit transfers from military higher education programs, and lots more.

Then, there were visits with military and veteran students and alumni as part of the University Alumni Association program around the Military and Veterans Appreciation Football Game that day. The Montana Grizzlies would play the always-tough Fighting Hawks of the University of North Dakota.

At the game, CDR Gilligan and all the sailors were introduced individually following a powerful set-to-music video of SSN 794 underway on the surface, with clips of life and work aboard.

As the intros concluded, the stadium announcer said that the crew was present,
“…to salute Montana and her people for their support of the USS MONTANA, our veterans, and our military that is always ready to defend our nation if called upon.”

They together saluted the crowd – to thunderous applause from the more than 26-thousand fans!

And the Grizzlies came from behind to win by one point.

Reactions to the Montana visit from the sailors spoke for themselves: “How big the sky is!” “Great people!” “Great visit!” And lots, lots more.

Said CDR Gilligan: “Those of us who were able to travel to Montana and meet so many wonderful Montanans were incredibly thankful for the opportunity to get to know our namesake.  The enthusiastic welcome and deep interest in our mission was truly humbling.  As honorary Montanans, the entire crew of USS MONTANA is incredibly proud to represent our great state out at sea in the Pacific.  Having gotten a little taste of the beauty of Montana, we look forward to many more opportunities to maintain our close ties with our namesake state.”

It was truly an amazing week for everyone!