Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\tNavy christens, launches 1st ship named for Billings<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
The Navy has christened and launched a new ship named for Billings, Montana's largest city.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n
Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding and executive vice president of Huntington Ingalls Industries, offered an explanation at the christening, the first such event since the COVID-19 pandemic began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is an important ceremony in the life of a ship, signaling it is water tight, ready to launch and prepared to start the next and final stage of its construction before going to sea,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The relationship between a ship sponsor and crew is special. Jewell will also impart her spirit on the ship and her crew and will possess a spirit unique to her sponsor, Boykin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jewell said she looked forward to ringing the special bell the USS Montana Committee had made for the submarine. She was selected by then-President Barack Obama to be the ship\u2019s sponsor, a title given to a prominent citizen chosen to christen a naval vessel. Jewell has spent time the past few years with the captain and crew and been in submarines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jewell spent a night as a guest of the Navy on another submarine, the USS New Mexico, doing exercises under pack ice of the Arctic Ocean in 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the spirit of its namesake state, the USS Montana will explore some of the wildest places on Earth in service to us all,\u201d she said. “May the magnificent fighting capabilities of this incredible submarine be an appropriate deterrent to aggressors who seek to undermine freedom and democracy for the United States and its allies across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMay the crew be well trained \u2026 and may all of our blessings carry the USS Montana and her crew to safety throughout her years of service to the American people,\u201d Jewell said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mariah Gladstone, an engineer working on her master\u2019s degree and member of the Blackfeet Nation, is serving as the submarine\u2019s maid of honor and offered a blessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The maid of honor can serve as a proxy at events for the sponsor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even the invocation was distinctly Montana, as it was given by Jason Sutton, a Montana native who now serves as director of manufacturing for Newport News Shipbuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe raised our kids to believe that although the military moved us all over the world, that Montana truly was home and the last best place,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026 We pray as this silent sentry prepares to run deep in harsh, oceanic environments and in close proximity to a formidable foe that their purpose remain pure as they stand guard, and when called upon to wield the sword, may it strike with swift accuracy and render further violence useless to realize a peace beyond understanding,\u201d Sutton said in his prayer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Capt. Michael Delaney, the submarine\u2019s commander, called the USS Montana one of the most capable warships ever built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo the crew, together we have the privilege and responsibility to establish Montana\u2019s legacy,\u201d he said at the christening ceremony. \u201cI am honored to lead you in this endeavor and grateful to serve with each and every one of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said over the past two years he has visited several parts of the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom its natural beauty and rugged outdoors, to mutton-busting and rodeos, the thing that stood out the most was the people that we met throughout the state and the reception with which they received the crew.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three of its 133 sailors, who came from 33 states, reportedly call Montana home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virginia Class submarines are 377 feet long and have a 34-foot beam. They displace 7,800 tons when submerged and travel about 28 mph. They have 12 Tomahawk missile tubs and four torpedo tubes, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The keel for the boat was laid on May 16, 2018 and construction of the submarine involved 4,000 shipbuilders, officials said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first USS Montana, ACR-13, was an armored cruiser also built at Newport News Shipbuilding and commissioned in July 1908. She served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, landed Marines during unrest in Haiti in 1914 and escorted convoys during World War I. She was decommissioned in 1921, Navy officials said in a news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Construction of the current USS Montana began 2015. It is the third of the 10 Block IV Virginia Class submarines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virginia Class submarines navigate deep waters while doing anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operation forces support; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions, Navy officials said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are replacing Los Angeles Class submarines. The Navy said in a news release the submarines are known for their stealth, endurance, mobility and firepower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whitsitt explained the significance of the ship\u2019s bell, saying it was from the first USS Montana, commissioned in 1908, now on display at the University of Montana. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the new bell for the new USS Montana is filled with historical significance. It is a historic replica of the first bell, but has the emblem of SSN 794. The new bell has the state motto \u201cOro y plata\u201d and has gold and silver dolphin pins worn by qualified submariners and has real Montana gold and silver in it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“\u2026 On behalf of all Montanans, we ask in the words of the Navy hymn \u201cBless those who serve beneath the deep \u2026,\u201d Whitsitt said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee informs the people of Montana about the USS Montana and its role in protecting our nation, supports the commissioning of the USS Montana, provides appropriate financial support for the USS Montana not provided by the U.S. Navy because of budget or other constraints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The keynote speaker, Acting Undersecretary of the Navy Gregory J. Slavonic, said the USS Montana will enhance the United States’ fleet with next generation stealth, surveillance and special warfare capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt sends a signal to friends and foe alike that we will maintain supremacy under the waves and extend the lethality and readiness in every domain,\u201d he said. \u201cThis powerful platform is proof of an ironclad relationship between the Navy and industrial partners who form the backbone of our maritime strength.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Montana\u2019s congressional delegation wished the ship well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Republican Sen. Steve Daines said the day was \u201clong overdue\u201d as Montana\u2019s name had not been on a battleship for nearly 100 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGod bless the men and women who will serve aboard the USS Montana and may God continue to bless this great United States of America,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Democratic Sen. Jon Tester said the Montana is a force to be reckoned with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn a time of new global threats and challenges, it will represent Montana and our nation in the waters by defending us around the world for decades and decades,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to thank the active duty sailors and Marines who serve on vessels like the one we are celebrating today for keeping us safe. I know you will do Montana proud. It is an incredible honor to be part of this journey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GOP Rep. Greg Gianforte said we live in a challenging and unprecedented time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKnow that this submarine will always embark with the support of all Montana and any sailor who boards her will be an honorary Montanan. May God keep this submarine and her crew safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among those who viewed the christening was state Attorney General Tim Fox, who is a member of the USS Montana Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the committee raised money for some of the finer points of the submarine, such as a Montana-themed insignia and items to the captain\u2019s quarters \u201cso that Montana can be part of the ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The insignia, the official emblem of the USS Montana, includes a Glacier National Park scene, a gold star within the submarine\u2019s hull number, SSN 794 and the state motto of Oro y Plata (gold and silver).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It includes two eagle feathers representing the values, culture, and courage of Native American warriors and their tribes, a grizzly bear and 3-7-77, a symbol is associated with Montana\u2019s early citizen vigilantes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, the Latin inscription within the emblem\u2019s Montana border is \u201cMay it defend our way of life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Montana crew has chosen to be called the \u201cVigilantes of the Deep,\u201d Whitsitt said, noting it is a homage to Montana\u2019s past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fox, who is termed out of office at the end of the year, said he hopes he can view the launch when that occurs in the next year or so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whitsitt said he watched the ceremony with a great deal of pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud of our U.S. Navy, I\u2019m proud of the shipbuilders in Virginia and the incredible work they did and proud of all the work everyone put into it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are very proud of the sailors,\u201d he said, noting the captain has made four visits to the state, sometimes with a commanding officer and crew members and then went to different parts of Montana, often staying with families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis boat is going to have 130-plus young sailors and carrying the name Montana and they need to know they are supported by those in their namesake state,\u201d he said. “They appreciate the people back home know about, pray about them and want to be protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMontanans, as you know, are patriots and want to support our military people and when go into harm\u2019s way with our blessing and with the best equipment in the world,\u201d Whitsitt said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope the mission is peace, but we want these young sailors to be protected.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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