USS Montana Crew Members Visit Eastern Montana

Pictured from left, MMN1 Matthew Campolattara, LTJG Thomas R. Harvey, and STS3 Charles Roberts are serving on the brand new USS Montana. They spent Friday, Aug. 26, in Sidney and attended a dinner and reception of their honor on the Sidney VFW whereas seeing japanese Montana. (Photograph by Jaymi Mozeak)

On the finish of June, the U.S. Navy added one other high-tech nuclear-powered quick assault submarine and christened it the united statesMontana. Three of its crew members got the chance to go to japanese Montana.

The three sailors got here from completely different elements of the nation. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade or LTJG Thomas R. Harvey grew up in Utah. He had joined the Navy due to his sense of responsibility, need to serve our Nation, and since he felt it will make a very good profession for him. Now he’s head of the provision division as a result of he felt the job provided numerous alternatives. Machinist’s Mate, Nuclear Energy, or MMN1 Matthew Campolattara, is from Illinois. Initially, he had needed to hitch the army however felt drawn to the Navy. He supervises the operations of the mechanical methods within the onboard nuclear plant and was chosen for his aptitude in nuclear operations. Sonar Technician (submarine) Petty Officer third Class or STS3 Charles Roberts grew up in South Carolina. He went to varsity for mechanical engineering however discovered a future within the Navy to be extra interesting. He signed up for Submarine Electrical Computations however was picked to be a sonar technician.

USS Montana crew members take a tour of Helmuth Substation south of Sidney lead by LYREC normal supervisor Jason Brothen (left).

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Whereas their submarine is on the east coast getting upgrades and extra testing MMN1 Campolattara, LTJG Harvey, and STS3 Roberts got the chance to see japanese Montana, meet its individuals, be taught a bit of of its Native peoples, tradition, historical past, and financial system from Aug. 24-29. They flew into Williston on Aug. 24 and had been picked up by USS Montana Committee Volunteer, Invoice Henderson and brought to Miles Metropolis. They spent the night time, visited the sights, and even went to the Jap Montana Honest and Rodeo, on Aug. 25. Throughout the honest, they obtained to go searching on the displays and mingle with a few of the locals. Aug. 26-27 they moved their tour to Sidney. In Sidney, they had been capable of go to one of many native cattle ranches, a neighborhood farm, a few of the native oil operations, attend a reception and dinner of their honor, and go to the Decrease Yellowstone Rural Electrical Cooperative’s substation. Additionally they visited Fort Kipp for his or her PowWow and Fort Peck Historic Theater for a displaying of “Wait Till Darkish”, on August 27. On Aug. 28, they toured the Fort Peck Dam and Reservoir, interpretive heart and museum, and the dam powerhouse.

Even midway by way of their tour of japanese Montana, the servicemen had been already having fun with themselves. LTJG Harvey loved the Jap Montana Rodeo probably the most. Being from Utah, it reminded him of house and was refreshing after being away for years within the service of his nation. MMN1 Campolattara additionally loved the Jap Montana Rodeo. STS3 Roberts loved their go to to the cattle ranch probably the most.