USS Montana christening set for Saturday

Havre Daily News staff

The USS Montana, a Virginia Class nuclear fast-attack submarine named for the state of Montana, will be christened Satuday at 10 a.m.

Montanans will have the opportunity to watch the christening on a live webcast at http:www.Montanachristening.com . Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior and ship’s sponsor Sally Jewel will perform the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American-made sparkling wine on the submarine’s hull, the Newport News Shipbuilding release says. Newport News Shipbuilding, teamed up with General Dynamics Electric Boat, built the Montana.

The USS Montana, one of 10 Virginia Class subs, will have the most advanced stealth capability to carry out critical surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations, the USS Montana Committee website says, while also having strike capability.