The USS Montana, a US Navy submarine named in honor of the nice State of Montana is all set for commissioning later this week.
I spoke with US Navy Commander John Quimby concerning the upcoming ceremony and extra. Cdr. Quimby is the commander in cost of what is going to quickly be often known as the USS Montana.
Cdr. Quimby: It has been since 2017. The crew’s been on board. They have been coaching, making ready to take the the Montana to sea, and that is what we did in February of this previous yr. We took it to sea, the ocean trials had nice success on the trials and I’ve taken her to sea a number of instances since as a pre commissioning unit- PCU- after which subsequent Saturday we’ll be commissioning as an enormous event as a result of it solely occurs as soon as within the lifetime of the ship.
It has been about since 2015 since building first began on the USS Montana.
Commander Quimby is within the photograph above signing a hat in Butte, Montana. USS Montana Committee Chairman Invoice Whitsitt tells us he’s signing a “Holland Membership” hat in Butte for a subvet. The Membership is for individuals who acquired their “Certified Submariner” designation 50 years or extra in the past.
The USS Montana, due to volunteers and donors serving on “The USS Montana Committee”, has a number of Montana particular symbols all through the boat. Grasp Chief Petty Officer Tim Baldwin is the Chief of the Boat.
Grasp Chief Baldwin: As you make your means by means of the boat, we have now indicators by means of our passageways which are named after rivers all through Montana. After which our all of our birthing areas we have now named after totally different cities in Montana. So as a substitute of the crew saying that they reside in a bunk room, starboard quantity two, they really reside in Missoula. So it is a good way for the crew to sort of actually really feel like they’re part of Montana.
He additionally tells us that a number of Charlie Russell prints will adorn key areas on the submarine just like the chief’s mess and the ward room.
Right here is a photograph of Grasp Chief Baldwin paying respects on the 9/11 Memorial in Bigfork:
Credit score USS Montana Committee
We additionally had an incredible chat with Petty Officer Nerio Ruiz, who talked about what it’s like being a crewmember on a submarine. Full audio of all three USS Montana crewmembers:
USS Montana, Credit score HII YouTube video screenshot.
LOOK: 100 years of American navy historical past
LOOK: 100 years of American navy historical past
