The USS Montana crew knows pacific waters, but over the next few days, it’s learning Big Sky.

The captain of the USS Montana, a new fast attack submarine, is touring the Treasure State Tuesday through Saturday, starting in Helena at Headwaters Crafthouse.

“We’re proud to represent the state and people of Montana at sea in the Pacific,” Cmdr. John Gilligan said to Helena attendees.

The goal of the tour is to better understand the Montanans the ship is named after.

The submarine, over 377 feet long and valued at $2.6 billion, is expected to serve for over three decades, a 2024 Navy press release said when the USS Montana arrived at its Hawaii homeport.

It has a crew of nearly 140 sailors and can support anti-submarine and anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, intelligence and recon

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