The Blog

What a weekend! Montana State University’s exciting FCS quarterfinal win against Sam Houston State in Huntsville, TX, on Saturday night, December 11, was a fitting way to help young crew members of the future USS MONTANA get a fun taste of Montana’s sports culture and grit. A number watched online and/or read about the game. The upset 42-19 Bobcat win … Read More

At each event where the unique ship’s bell of the future USS MONTANA is rung to honor our veterans, our active duty military’s future veterans, and first responders, there is a special common reaction. Tears of emotion and gratitude. Two recent bell tour events were special in their own ways, and another will be. On November 15 in Great Falls, … Read More

Its an exciting and serious time as the future USS MONTANA prepares to go to sea. Meanwhile Montanans throughout Big Sky Country continue to demonstrate their support for the nuclear-powered fast attack submarine and her sailors. One way they are doing that is by attending special presentations that feature ringing the unique ship’s bell that will be presented to the … Read More

In friendly, powerful and emotive ways, many Montanans met the new commanding officer of the future USS MONTANA and its Chief of the Boat recently. And in the process they were reminded of the dedication of our military to remembering…and protecting. Commander Jon Quimby, Commanding Officer of PCU MONTANA (SSN 794) since July, and Master Chief Tim Baldwin, Chief of … Read More

When the young sailors of the future USS MONTANA (SSN 794) take their nuclear-powered fast attack submarine on patrol in defense of our nation, they will carry with them values and courage from their namesake state – and a powerful symbol of them. The warship will carry a new ship’s bell, cast as a submarine-sized replica of the bell aboard … Read More

Progress continues on board the future USS MONTANA. Commanding Officer CDR Jon Quimby reports that since last month’s reactor certification was completed, other significant milestones have been accomplished along the way to delivery of the MONTANA to the Navy. “First,” says CDR Quimby, “we opened up the ‘Big Sky Saloon’, the nickname of MONTANA’s galley. For our first official meal … Read More

Even with normal Navy career progressions and transitions, the pace continues to be fast for Montana’s future namesake warship! At last month’s Change of Command ceremony in which Captain Michael Delaney turned over command of PCU MONTANA to Commander Jon Quimby, both were commended by Commodore, and Commander of Submarine Squadron Six, Jeff Juergens. As part of the ceremony filled … Read More

The future USS MONTANA’s officers and crew continue to make all of us in Big Sky Country proud as they train and prepare for sea trials. From MONTANA’s pier-side completion location at Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, commanding officer CAPT Mike Delaney reports: “MONTANA’s reactor core is now certified! “Following an extensive month-long test program, the crew of … Read More

Those who serve aboard the USS MONTANA in defense of our nation over her service life are, and will be, honorary Montanans. That announcement by Governor Greg Gianforte was but one of the powerful take-aways from a special State Capitol event hosted by the Montana State Legislature and its leaders and members on March 31, 2021. Statewide elected officials and … Read More

The future USS MONTANA (SSN 794) has been launched in Newport News, Virginia. The nuclear-powered fast attack submarine will be completed pier-side while crew training continues toward sea trials this year. The boat’s commissioning into the Navy fleet is likely in early 2022. In its news release, Huntington Ingalls Industries announced that the 7800-ton Virginia-class submarine was launched into the … Read More