The Blog

The USS Montana Committee wants to let those planning to attend the official U.S. Navy commissioning ceremony for the USS MONTANA on June 25 that some COVID-related requirements could be in effect. We understand that the principal requirement for those attending last weekend’s commissioning commemoration for the USS DELAWARE was evidence of vaccination accompanied by a photo ID. (A photo … Read More

The future USS MONTANA and her crew have a couple of more at-sea periods before they move to a different, and larger, Naval Station Norfolk pier for SSN 794’s official commissioning. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 25, at 10 am Eastern Daylight Time. Of particular interest to Montanans: While in port, a number of interior enhancements reflecting … Read More

Today Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding announced that it has delivered the future USS MONTANA to the U.S. Navy! The commanding officer of the MONTANA, Commander Jon Quimby, commented to the USS Montana Committee late today that the delivery and the corresponding acceptance of SSN 794 by the Navy together represent a major milestone toward commissioning of the submarine … Read More

The future USS MONTANA has gone to sea for the first time! As this report is posted, SSN 794 is underway in the Atlantic Ocean for sea trials that began last week. We’re very pleased and proud to have a powerful video look at the MONTANA in her first, or Alpha, sea trials phase. Provided by Huntington Ingalls Industries, the … Read More

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