Search the Site with

General Characteristics

Crew List

Memorabilia

Accidents aboard USS Montpelier

History

Image Gallery

to end of page

USS Montpelier (SSN 765)

USS MONTPELIER is the 15^th improved submarine in the LOS ANGELES - class of fast attack submarines and the 23^rd ship in her class built by Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News.

back to top

go to the end of the page

back to top

go to the end of the page

Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS MONTPELIER. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

• Click here to view the list.

back to top

go to the end of the page

• Click here to see which USS MONTPELIER memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

back to top

go to the end of the page

Accidents aboard USS MONTPELIER:

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS MONTPELIER History:

USS MONTPELIER is an improved LOS ANGELES-class, nuclear-powered attack submarine of the U.S. Navy, named for the capital of Vermont. The contract for the boat was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia, on February 6, 1987, as part of the late-Cold War expansion of the U.S. attack-submarine force. Her keel was laid at Newport News on May 19, 1989, and she was christened on April 6, 1991, with Nancy Hayes Sununu, wife of then White House Chief of Staff John H. Sununu, serving as sponsor. The hull was launched on August 23, 1991, and the submarine carried out trials off the U.S. East Coast during 1992 to test propulsion, combat systems and maneuvering characteristics before entering operational service.

Following completion of builder's and acceptance trials, USS MONTPELIER was commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on March 13, 1993, with Commander Victor R. Fiebig in command and Norfolk designated as her homeport. She joined the Atlantic Fleet as an "improved" 688I variant, with strengthened sail, under-ice capability and a 12-cell vertical launch system for BGM-109 TOMAHAWK cruise missiles. Early in her career, through 1993 and 1994, she operated primarily from Norfolk in the western Atlantic, building crew proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare exercises and qualifying for deployment while remaining assigned to Submarine Squadron SIX.

MONTPELIER's first major overseas deployment took place in 1995, against the background of the Balkan conflicts and NATO efforts to enforce U.N. sanctions on the former Yugoslavia. On March 22, 1995, she departed Norfolk for her maiden Mediterranean deployment. She had originally been scheduled to deploy as part of the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) battle group, but her mission was re-tasked shortly before departure so that she could conduct largely independent operations, intended to exercise the full range of multi-mission capabilities of an attack submarine.

From April 7 to April 28, 1995, MONTPELIER took part in Operation SHARP GUARD, the NATO and Western European Union maritime enforcement mission in the Adriatic and central Mediterranean that implemented sanctions and an arms embargo related to the Bosnian War. Her role included covert patrols, surveillance of merchant traffic and support to surface forces enforcing embargo measures. After this first phase of operations, she entered the U.S. submarine support facility at La Maddalena, Italy, on May 1 for a ten-day port period, using repair-ship and tender facilities to conduct maintenance and resupply after nearly a month of continuous operations.

From May 13 to June 3, 1995, MONTPELIER again supported Operation SHARP GUARD, remaining in the Mediterranean under NATO operational control. At the conclusion of this second period she entered Souda Bay, on the Greek island of Crete, on June 5 for about a week of rest and logistics in the key Sixth Fleet support harbor. Later in the deployment, she returned to La Maddalena from June 28 to July 19 for further maintenance and support, reflecting the intensive tempo of at-sea operations. In late July, she made a port visit to Naples, Italy, from July 21 to July 25 before turning west for home. On August 30, 1995, MONTPELIER returned to Norfolk, concluding a roughly five-month first deployment. For her contributions to operations connected with the Bosnian conflict between March and June 1995, the submarine and her crew received the Armed Forces Service Medal, the NATO Medal and a Navy Unit Commendation.

In 1996, the geopolitical focus of many Atlantic Fleet deployments shifted toward maintaining maritime presence in both the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf, as Western navies continued to enforce post-Gulf War sanctions on Iraq. According to later biographical accounts of her Navigator and Operations Officer, MONTPELIER undertook a six-month deployment that year with the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT battle group to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf, supporting carrier operations and regional security missions under U.S. Sixth Fleet and U.S. Central Command. During this period, the submarine also participated in advanced connectivity experiments: a 1997 briefing by the Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic, cited MONTPELIER's successful use of the Submarine Joint Deployable Intelligence Support System (sub-JDISS) to transmit data at 64 kbps from the Mediterranean/CENTCOM area, demonstrating near-real-time intelligence connectivity from a deployed submarine.

In 1997, MONTPELIER again operated in European waters, with the awards record showing eligibility periods for the Armed Forces Service Medal between March 23 and March 31 and again from April 1 to June 24, 1997. These dates correspond to operations in support of NATO activities connected to the stabilisation of the Balkans and wider European security, although detailed command-history documents are not widely accessible. During this period, MONTPELIER's performance was recognised within the submarine force: she received the 1997 Battle Efficiency "E" award for COMSUBRON SIX, indicating top standing among her squadron in readiness and tactical performance.

In mid-1998, the boat turned north. On July 31, 1998, MONTPELIER departed Norfolk Naval Base for a deployment in the North Atlantic, operating in a region of renewed interest as NATO continued to train for high-latitude operations after the end of the Cold War. On September 22, she entered Haakonsvern Naval Base near Bergen, Norway, for a three-day port visit that underscored close U.S.-Norwegian naval cooperation in North Atlantic and Arctic approaches. On September 29, she shifted to HMNB Clyde at Faslane, Scotland, for a prolonged stay of about 13 days, reflecting both maintenance and operational coordination with Royal Navy submarine forces. She returned to Faslane again from November 23 to November 26 after further at-sea operations. On December 7, she arrived in Brest, France, for a three-day port visit on the French Atlantic coast, before returning to Norfolk on December 22, 1998, after nearly five months deployed. For this deployment she received the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Arctic Service Ribbon, indicating operations at higher latitudes in demanding conditions.

Open command-history references confirm that MONTPELIER remained homeported in Norfolk during the late 1990s and into 2000, conducting a mix of maintenance, training and Atlantic operations in support of fleet exercises and joint training. Public sources for her detailed movements in 1999-2002 are limited, but by 2002 the submarine was again fully engaged as a front-line unit of the Atlantic Fleet, preparing for possible contingency operations in the Middle East as tensions with Iraq increased.

The most prominent episode of MONTPELIER's career occurred in 2003 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Under the command of Commander William J. Frake, she deployed from January 10 to July 10, 2003, in support of U.S. Central Command. Operating initially in the Eastern Mediterranean and later in other launch areas, she became the first submarine reported to fire TOMAHAWK land-attack missiles in the campaign. On March 21 and 22, 2003, MONTPELIER joined 29 other U.S. and British ships and submarines in a series of coordinated TOMAHAWK strikes against Iraqi military targets, ultimately launching a total of 20 missiles during the war. For her role in the opening phase of the conflict the boat's crew received a Navy Unit Commendation, and on December 3, 2003, Commander Frake was awarded the Bronze Star for his command during combat operations.

After this high-tempo deployment, the submarine entered an intensive maintenance and modernisation period. On May 27, 2004, MONTPELIER began an 18-month Depot Modernization Period (DMP) at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The work package modernised combat systems and extended the service life of key hull and engineering components. The crew and yard completed the overhaul approximately three months ahead of schedule. After sea trials she returned to her homeport in Virginia, resuming operational status by late 2005.

By August 30, 2005, photographs show MONTPELIER returning to Naval Station Norfolk from a training deployment, with families welcoming the crew at the pier, underscoring that she was again fully integrated into fleet operations. Through 2006, she took part in Atlantic exercises and training as the Navy steadily shifted focus toward counter-terrorism, maritime security and support to operations in the Middle East.

In November 2007, MONTPELIER began another major deployment, this time as an escort and submarine component for the HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) Carrier Strike Group. Sources note that she deployed in support of U.S. Central Command, with the mission of conducting maritime security operations - tasks that included contributing to sea-lane security, deterring illicit trafficking and supporting carrier operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and Arabian Sea. During this deployment she made at least two documented port visit to Souda Bay, Crete. U.S. Navy imagery places her arrival there in November 2007 for a routine visit to the NATO support facility.

The deployment continued into 2008. A photograph dated April 15, 2008, shows USS MONTPELIER entering Souda Harbor again for a port call, with the caption noting that she had departed Norfolk in November for a scheduled six-month deployment as part of the HARRY S. TRUMAN Strike Group operating in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility in support of maritime security operations. Later in 2008 she returned to Norfolk. Images from May and July 2008 show the submarine at her homeport and hosting a change-of-command ceremony, indicating the normal turnover of leadership following a completed deployment.

In 2009, MONTPELIER again deployed from Norfolk for approximately six months. While specific operational areas are not extensively documented in open sources, photography and summary histories agree that she returned to Naval Station Norfolk on November 25, 2009, concluding a scheduled six-month deployment after steaming more than 20,000 miles. As she transited the Elizabeth River toward the pier that day, the Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic, addressed the crew over the ship's announcing system to congratulate them on the deployment's successful completion.

Soon afterwards the boat entered another major maintenance phase. On February 5, 2010, MONTPELIER went into Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a significant modernisation and repair package valued at about 35 million dollars. The availability included changes to buoyancy characteristics and a substantial upgrade of sonar and combat-system capabilities. The shipyard completed the work early, and the submarine returned to the fleet on July 26, 2010, eight days ahead of the planned schedule. Photographs from December 13, 2010, show her pierside at Naval Station Norfolk amid winter weather, illustrating her restored operational status.

In April 2011, MONTPELIER was recorded departing Naval Station Norfolk for a short underway period, and later that year she again crossed the Atlantic. On August 30, 2011, while in port at Haakonsvern Naval Base near Bergen, Norway, she received a visit from Vice Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet. The visit took place during a four-day trip by the fleet commander to Norway aimed at strengthening maritime partnerships. The submarine's presence at Haakonsvern reflected continued cooperation with the Royal Norwegian Navy and ongoing operations in the North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea.

The most serious accident of MONTPELIER's career occurred the following year. On October 13, 2012, at about 15:30 local time, the submarine collided with the guided-missile cruiser USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56) while both ships were conducting training as part of the HARRY S. TRUMAN Carrier Strike Group off the coast of Florida. The destroyer USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) was also operating with the group. Reports from the time emphasised that there were no injuries aboard either vessel and that both ships were able to continue under their own power. MONTPELIER proceeded to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, the following day for initial damage assessment, while SAN JACINTO returned to Naval Station Mayport, Florida. An investigation later concluded that human error, deficiencies in watch-team performance and failure to follow established periscope-depth procedures aboard MONTPELIER were the principal causes. Commander Thomas Winter, then commanding officer, was relieved of command, and the submarine subsequently underwent repairs estimated at about 70 million dollars.

Repair work and follow-on trials occupied much of the next period, and public reporting on deployments between 2013 and 2014 is limited, consisting mainly of references to the collision investigation and lessons-learned discussions within the submarine force. By mid-decade, however, MONTPELIER had clearly returned to front-line tasking. On August 5, 2015, she departed Norfolk for a scheduled six-month deployment to the Middle East. During this cruise she steamed more than 38,000 nautical miles and operated in support of U.S. Fifth and Sixth Fleet maritime security missions. She visited Souda Bay, Greece; Hidd in Bahrain; Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates; and Toulon, France, before returning to Norfolk on February 5, 2016. The deployment took place against the backdrop of ongoing coalition operations against extremist groups in Iraq and Syria and continued efforts to deter regional instability in the Arabian Gulf.

Open sources provide relatively little detail about MONTPELIER's individual activity during 2017 and 2018, years in which the U.S. submarine force as a whole focused on a mix of deterrence, intelligence collection and training, including renewed emphasis on operations in the North Atlantic and European waters. Imagery and routine news items show the boat continuing to operate from the East Coast, but no major publicly reported incidents or named operations involving MONTPELIER are highlighted for those years.

By the end of the 2010s, the submarine appears to have shifted homeport from Norfolk to Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. By 2021, she was operating under Submarine Squadron FOUR, part of the Groton-based attack-submarine force. On January 31, 2021, MONTPELIER departed Groton for a scheduled deployment to the North Atlantic. On February 10 she moored at Pier 1, Berth 2, at Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a five-day port visit, reflecting Spain's continuing role as a logistics and strategic hub for U.S. naval forces in the European theatre. On February 19 she made a brief stop in Plymouth Sound, England, before returning across the Atlantic. On March 24, 2021, she moored at the New London submarine base, completing a deployment of almost two months.

Later that year, MONTPELIER undertook a longer cruise. According to official Navy releases, she left Groton again and, over the course of roughly four months, travelled more than 40,000 nautical miles, operating in the European theatre and visiting Souda Bay, Greece, and Rota, Spain. She returned to Naval Submarine Base New London on September 19, 2021. Four days later, on September 23, 2021, the boat hosted a change-of-command ceremony at the Groton pier, during which Commander Roderick Hodges turned over command to Commander Drew Pittman. This ceremony, held with the submarine moored alongside, marked both the completion of a successful deployment cycle and the continuity of leadership within the crew.

In the same time frame, the submarine continued to exercise specialised capabilities. A publicly shared Navy communication in 2021 highlighted an expeditionary ordnance onload in Souda Bay in which MONTPELIER's crew practiced loading the Mk 67 submarine-launched mobile mine, underscoring that she retained the ability to perform covert mining missions in addition to her more typical surveillance and strike roles.

By the early 2020s, MONTPELIER had become a regular presence not only in fleet operations but also in public-relations links with her namesake state. Crews made periodic trips to Montpelier, Vermont, for community events around U.S. Independence Day, visiting veterans and local residents and maintaining symbolic ties between the submarine and the state capital whose name she bears.

More recently, attention has shifted back to maintenance and long-term sustainment. A 2024 naval movements summary lists USS MONTPELIER in drydock at Portsmouth, Virginia, beginning on August 21, 2024, indicating entry into another major maintenance period intended to keep the aging but still capable LOS ANGELES-class submarine operational into the coming decade.

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS MONTPELIER Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by me and show the MONTPELIER at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on May 6, 2012.

The photo below was taken by Steven Collingwood and shows the MONTPELIER departing Naval Base Norfolk, Va., for a 6-month deployment on August 5, 2015. The cruise took her to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. Port visits included Souda Bay, Greece; Hidd, Bahrain; Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates; and Toulon, France.

back to top

Back to Submarines list.

Back to ships list.

Back to selection page.

Back to 1^st page.