USS Montana crew tours the Treasure State

Commissioned in 2022 and now based at Pearl Harbor, the USS Montana carries the state’s name across the Pacific. Commander John Gilligan, the submarine’s commanding officer, said his sailors are honored to be tied to Montana’s legacy.

“So you may not know it, but Montana actually has a long legacy of naval vessels,” Gilligan said. “The first Montana was the Armored Cruiser C-13 USS Montana that served in the early 1900s with distinction in World War One. We're very proud to carry that legacy of proud ships named Montana into the 21st century.”

Gilligan added that submarine life is unlike any other branch of military service.

“Life on a submarine is very interesting,” he said. “We have an amazing job and get an opportunity to do really cool stuff all over the place and get to talk about it very infrequently as the silent service. Stealth is our advantage. So we're out there on your behalf all the time and probably never going to be seen doing it.”

The crew also brings Montana culture with them to sea. The galley onboard is nicknamed the Big Sky Saloon, their rallying cry is Big Sky, and their unit proudly calls themselves the Vigilantes of the Deep — a nod to the state’s frontier history. Gilligan said those traditions help bond the sailors to the place their submarine represents.

For Machinist’s Mate Auxiliaryman Second Class Jhony Xocuaurbano, a 22-year-old from South Alabama, the Montana visit has been an eye-opening experience.

“Everyone that we've met so far has been with open arms, welcoming us here and saying, ‘Hey, welcome to Montana,’” Xocuaurbano said. “It feels great, feels welcome, and then seeing all the great views that the state has for us, like the Missouri River and the Capitol being amazing and beautiful on the inside.”

Xocuaurbano helps maintain the submarine’s non-nuclear machinery, including oxygen generation, hydraulics and plumbing. He was also named the USS Montana’s 2024 Blue Jacket of the Year, an award for junior sailors who demonstrate leadership and promise.

He said he hopes Montanans see the pride the crew carries on their behalf.

“Mainly that we're out there happy to be serving the country, representing the nation,” Xocuaurbano said. “We wear the USS Montana badge on our right arm representing the state proud.”

The USS Montana’s sailors will appear at public events across the state this week:

• Great Falls — Wednesday, Sept. 10, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Little Shell Tribe Pow Wow Arbor. (In case of bad weather, the event will move to the Little Shell Elders Center.)
• Fort Benton — Thursday, Sept. 11, 4 to 5 p.m. at the Montana Agricultural Center, hosted by the VFW and American Legion.
• Missoula — Saturday, Sept. 13, recognition during the University of Montana’s Military and Veterans Appreciation football game.

Gilligan said those ties between the crew and Montana run deep, both on land and at sea.

“The USS Montana is out there representing Montana, patrolling the Pacific on your behalf and keeping the seas open and free,” he said.