USS MONTANA Represented at Billings Navy Week and International Air Show (posted 8/27/26)

The USS MONTANA (SSN 794) had unique representation during the August Billings Navy Week and International Air Show events – young family that made the most of time in Big Sky Country.

The Billings events saw participation by senior officers and personnel from a number of Navy units, including the Blue Angels aerial demonstration team that dazzled Air Show crowds.

But the USS MONTANA was at a representation disadvantage since she and her crew were deployed at the time to places unknown in the Pacific Fleet area of responsibility. That’s when leaders suggested that the boat’s assistant operations officer, who would be transitioning to a new assignment from the submarine could be available. It worked! Lieutenant Connor Smith, his wife Isabel and 11-month-old daughter Bridgette spent the better part of a week in Billings for official events – and even did a joint statewide radio preview program. They then toured a good bit of Big Sky Country on their own. They were delighted by the Bear Tooth Highway, Yellowstone National Park and other Montana treasures like Pompey’s Pillar and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monuments. They even dipped into Wyoming to experience the Grand Tetons.

There was one surprise in Billings. At a coffee session with Committee members, USSMTC Vice Chairman Paul Guest of Bozeman and former Steering Group member Greg MacDonald of Billings presented baby Bridgette and parents with an heirloom-quality personalized USS MONTANA baby quilt. All children born of SSN 794 crew members (and the parents) receive such a quilt made by Piece Makers Quilt Guild of Bigfork – almost three dozen to date.

We thank Connor, Isabel and Bridgette for representing their shipmates and families so well. And we are especially grateful for the USS Billings (LCS 15) Committee, the Navy and all the folks in Billings who made them feel so welcome and included.