Free and Open to Public. Reserve your free tickets!

The Sun Valley Policy Forum is pleased to host Town Hall 208: Celebrating Idaho’s Incredible Naval History, a free, community-wide education event exploring Idaho’s remarkable and often under-recognized role in U.S. naval history. 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. Doors open at 4:30 pm, the program begins at 5:00 pm, and concludes at 6:30 pm.

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.

Please visit the SVPF website at svpolicyforum.org/february-26-2026 to learn more about the event and to secure your free tickets. Additional information about the Committee and the submarine is available at ussidahocommittee.org.