The USS MONTANA, Big Sky Country’s namesake nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, arrived home to its Pacific Fleet home in Hawaii yesterday  today to the cheers of family members waiting on the pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

During the deployment, according to the Navy, “…the MONTANA and its crew performed missions across the spectrum of undersea warfare operations in support of a free and open Pacific region.”

“Montana completed its maiden deployment, conducting operations in the Western Pacific with U.S. Seventh Fleet,” said Cmdr. John Gilligan, commanding officer of Montana. “The crew did important work, deterring adversaries, assuring our allies, and building the experience necessary to fight and win anywhere in the world, if called upon.”

The complete Navy news release that further explains the deployment and accomplishments of the 100+ crew members during is travbel of more than 40,000 nautical miles may be found here.

Before and during the deployment, USS Montana Committee members and donors quietly helped support the crew and families through the nonprofit Family Readiness Group run by crew families. For example, at one point during the deployment, each crew member received what might be called a “Morale Box” that had been packed prior to the submarine’s departure by the FRG members. In the boxes were goodies from family members and many Montana-made items provided to the FRG by the USS Montana Committee through the generosity of our donors, a number of Montana businesses, and even the Montana Historical Society. Included were such things as Montana beef jerky, beef sticks, and Treasure State mementos.

Awaiting both single sailors and families yesterday were “Welcome Home” boxes containing “Made in Montana” things like huckleberry gummies, granola, seven-grain cereal and flapjack mix. These and a number of other items were donated or discounted to the Committee and provided to the FRG. All items for both sets of boxes were shipped by the Committee to Hawaii.

All those donating or discounting products and services will soon be listed on our website’s in-kind donor partners’ page.

We are delighted that the MONTANA and her crew members are home safely and that we were able to work with the FRG and others to support the amazing crew and families who sacrifice so much for all of us.

In the future we’ll provide any additional information that might be released about the deployment – that by all current accounts was a very significant success!