Town Hall 208: Celebrating Idaho’s Incredible Naval History

Thursday, February 26, 2026
Town Hall 208: Celebrating Idaho’s Incredible Naval History
Argyros Performing Arts Center
Free and Open to Public

The Sun Valley Policy Forum is hosting Town Hall 208: Celebrating Idaho’s Incredible Naval History, a free, community-wide education event exploring Idaho’s remarkable and often underrecognized role in U.S. naval history. 

Reserve your seat here.

This program will highlight the history and national importance of the USS IDAHO (SSN 799) and the origins of the U.S. Nuclear Navy, a story that began in Idaho’s desert and helped shape America’s global influence. With the USS IDAHO planned to launch this spring, this conversation is both timely and relevant, and aligns with SVPF’s partnership with the U.S. Commission on America 250 to educate Idahoans about the state’s lasting contributions to our nation’s history.

The evening will feature a screening of America’s Sagebrush Navy, an Idaho Public Television documentary that tells the story of the Nuclear Navy’s creation and the future USS IDAHO, followed by a live conversation with historians and PBS documentarians.

4:00PM: Doors Open

5:00PM: Program Begins
– Christina Erland Culver, Co-Founder and CEO, Sun Valley Policy Forum
– Richard Colburn, USS Idaho Commissioning Committee
– Gil Pratt, Naval Reactors Facility
– Janet Gallimore, Idaho Historical Society
– Jeff Tucker, Idaho Public TV

5:30PM: Screening of America’s Sagebrush Navy

6:30PM: Panel Discussion
– Jay Johnson, Admiral US Navy (RET)
– Dave Honabach, Site Director, Naval Reactors Facility
– Aaron Kunz, Producer America’s Sagebrush Navy, Idaho Public TV

This Town Hall is presented in collaboration with the USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee, which serves as Idaho’s official agent for commissioning activities and works to foster enduring connections between the people of Idaho and those who serve aboard the USS IDAHO.

Secure your free tickets at svpolicyforum.org. Additional information about the Committee and the submarine is available at ussidahocommittee.org.