LIMITED EDITION PRINT & 2020 COMBINED CREW COIN SET
Greetings
Montana has a proud history of producing the defenders of our great nation. Our great state is in the top 3 for veterans per capita with 1 in every 10 residents having served in the military
We were honored when the US Navy chose our fair city to be the namesake for the USS Billings LCS-15.
As you may be aware, we commissioned the USS Billings on 3 August 2019 in Key West Florida. Since then the Billings, now stationed at Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, FL has been actively training and preparing for deployment with the 4th Fleet.
We have formed the Friends of the USS Billings, a non-profit organization that will continue to support the Blue and Gold crews of the Billings. Things such as recognizing the Sailor of the Year, Junior Sailor of the Year and Blue Jacket of the year, purchasing items that are not supplied by the US Navy that make life a bit more livable when deployed for months at sea are just a few of the things we do. We also support the crew when they come to Billings for crew visits, making sure they experience the great hospitality we here in Montana are accustomed to.
We are always looking for sponsors and donors to assist us with these undertakings. Sponsors are recognized by being listed on our Friends of the USS Billings wall that will be opening spring 2021 at the entrance of the Billings Public Library. Without your support, we cannot do the things that are necessary to support the women and men who serve our great nation by manning the decks of the USS Billings.
For more information, or to become a sponsor, please email Ron Spence at friendsofussbillings@gmail.com
Thank you for your interest and support of the USS Billing.
Sincerely,
Ron Spence
Board Chairman
ABOUT THE BILLINGS (LCS 15)
The USS Billings (LCS-15) is a Freedom-class littoral combat ship in the United States Navy. She is named after the largest city in Montana and is the first ship in service name after Billings. With only 14 Freedom class littoral combat ships planned, the choice of Billings, Montana as the namesake is an incredible honor for the city of Billings and the state of Montana. The ship’s Sponsor, Sharla Tester, married to Montana Senator John Tester, christened the vessel on July 1, 2017.
The USS Billings is expected to be commissioned on August 3, 2019. As she sails into service, the Billings will be tasked with near-shore multi-purpose missions that utilize her ability to deploy and recover landing craft and helicopter aircraft.
NEWS
Originally published on Defence Blog online military magazine May 2nd 2019 https://defence-blog.com/news/u-s-navy-announces-commissioning-date-for-future-uss-billings-littoral-combat-ship.html The U.S. Navy on May 1 has announced commissioning date for future USS Billings (LCS 15) littoral combat ship. Several months after selecting Key West, Florida as host-city for the commissioning of the future USS Billings (LCS 15),…
SOCIAL
University of Montana President Seth Bodner has but one thing to say to the crew of the USS Billings.......GoGriz!!
The new USS Billings is one of the Navy’s newest warships. It was built in Marinette, Wisconsin and is a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) that will operate in waters close to the shore. The vessel also has a helicopter pad, a ramp for small boats and can be used by small assault forces.
While the USS Billings is the 15th in the class of fast and versatile Littoral Combat Ships, it is the first time that Billings has been honored as a namesake city.
USS Billings LCS 15 Facebook Page
COMMISSIONING WEEK SPONSORS
Mayor Bill & Anne Cole
COMMISSIONING COMMITTEE PARTNERS
