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USS Asheville (SSN-758)
Encyclopedia
USS Asheville (SSN-758), is a Los Angeles-class submarine
. She is the fourth ship of the United States Navy
to be named for Asheville, North Carolina
. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
in Newport News, Virginia
on 26 November 1984 and her keel was laid down on 9 January 1987. She was launched
on 24 February 1990, sponsored by Mrs. Dorothy Helms, and commissioned
on 28 September 1991, with Commander Patrick Casey in command and the best initial manning crew the Navy has ever seen.
Asheville was fitted with a developmental Advanced Mine Detection System (AMDS) high-frequency active sonar
array with transmitters and receivers in the sail and in a disc-shaped chin sonar dome beneath the hull at the bow. The system is used for target detection, mine avoidance, and bottom navigation. After a highly successful testing period the system was removed during overhaul in 2003.
Asheville is home ported in San Diego, CA where she is assigned to Submarine Squadron 11
. She is currently commanded by CDR Gerald Miranda.
Sea Ferret
reconnaissance drone. After Asheville simulated an underwater launch, a Cessna 206 test aircraft flew over the area of operations with the Sea Ferret attached to its underside. Technicians aboard Asheville transmitted commands to the Sea Ferret, which were received and responded to by the Cessna pilot. Control of the drone was then passed back and forth among the Asheville team, USMC First Force RECON
, and an United States Army Aviation team, all three teams continuing to receive a continuous flow of sensor data.
In August 1998 Asheville returned from a six month Western Pacific Deployment (WESTPAC). After a 30 day stand down, she entered an extended maintenance period at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Dry Dock #4. On 14 December 1998, she was floated off the blocks, but remained tied up inside the flooded dock, until after the New Year.
Almost immediately after the maintenance period Asheville began a work-up for another six month deployment to the Western Pacific. This work-up included various underway periods, for weekly operations. At the end of May 1999, Asheville conducted two family day cruises. The first left Pearl Harbor and steamed to Lahaina, Maui
. Asheville anchored a mile off the Maui coast for five days. She returned to Pearl Harbor, at the end of the week, with the second group of family members aboard. In July 1999, Asheville deployed to the Eastern Pacific (EASTPAC) for two months, continuing work-ups with the John C. Stennis Battle Group. During this deployment, she visited San Diego, CA, Esquimalt/Victoria, British Columbia
, Canada
, and Ketchikan, Alaska
. While conducting sound testing off the coast of Ketchikan, Asheville was suspended at a depth of 400 feet, and held in position by four mooring buoys above. During this 36 hour period, the crew made phone calls with a line rigged though an electrical fitting. After the testing, the boat surfaced. The crew ate hamburgers, and "got some sun". Some of the crew members swam in the 50 degree waters of Behm Canal
. She returned to Pearl Harbor, at the end of August, 1999. She conducted a six week upkeep period, after which a Change of Command Ceremony was held on 15 October 1999, as CDR Grooms was relieved by CDR Ingalls. At the end of October 1999, Asheville returned to San Diego for three weeks where she completed final work-ups with the Stennis Battle Group, including staged attacks on the ship. Asheville was the only ship in the Battle Group that was not successfully boarded or attacked. Another part of this final work up included SPEC WAR, off the coast of California, when Asheville launched a BGM-109 Tomahawk
Cruise Missile
. After the launch, an F-14 Tomcat
pilot took control of the missile. The missile flew to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
, California, hitting the target perfectly. Asheville returned to Pearl Harbor at the end of November, 1999. She completed a six week upkeep period, and made final preparations for her forthcoming deployment.
On 11 January 2000, Asheville departed Pearl Harbor
for a six-month Western Pacific Deployment (WESTPAC). She was part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group. This Battle Group included the carrier USS John C. Stennis
, USS Lake Champlain
, USS Port Royal
, USS Elliot
, USS Russell
, USS Denver
, USS Pearl Harbor
, USS Thach
, USNS Bridge
, and partner fast-attack submarine USS Jefferson City
. Asheville arrived in Yokosuka, Japan on 27 January 2000, in time for the crew to watch Super Bowl XXXIV
. She departed Yokosuka, on 3 February, and arrived in Hong Kong
on 8 February, sailing into Victoria Harbor along with the entire Stennis battle group. She was tied up alongside USS Lake Champlain for electric power. Asheville left Hong Kong on 12 February, and arrived in Singapore
, on 17 February. On 21 February, Asheville departed Singapore, and arrived in Manama, Bahrain on 7 March 2000. During this time Asheville completed a mission vital to National Security, the details of which are not published. She left Bahrain that night after loading stores and became the first submarine to participate in Maritime Interdiction Operations
(MIO). On 18 March 2000 Asheville arrived in the free port of Jebel Ali
, United Arab Emirates
. On 23 March, she left Jebel Ali and returned to Manama, Bahrain on 28 March. Asheville was tied up to the pier, just aft, of USS The Sullivans
. Asheville departed Bahrain on 3 April to head back to the Pacific, turning over Battle Group responsibilities to USS Jefferson City
. Prior to leaving the area, Asheville completed a second, secret mission. While in transit to a port call in Australia
, the crew received word that three sailors from the USS Blue Ridge
had assaulted a taxi driver in Cebu
, Philippines. In an effort to smooth tensions with the Philippine Government, Asheville was directed to make way for Subic Bay
, Philippines
. Prior to pulling into Subic Bay, the captain took Asheville to a location a few miles south of the Equator
for crew members to become Shellback
s. The next day while steaming north, Asheville stopped off the coast of Borneo
where the captain allowed a swim call. On 28 April 2000, Asheville pulled into Subic Bay, and became the second US Navy submarine to port in Subic Bay Freeport in four years. While there, Asheville sailors assisted in renovating a school, and conducted a VIP tour and cruise for top members of the Philippine government. The day was cut short due to a suspected coup attempt, with the emergence of Abu Sayyaf
. Asheville returned to port, returning the VIP's and taking on crew members previously left ashore. Asheville departed Subic Bay on 3 May, returning to Yokosuka, Japan, on 8 May to complete an upkeep period. On 15 May, Asheville departed Yokosuka, Japan to complete a third, secret mission. On 15 June 2000, Asheville arrived in Sasebo, Japan, and tied up alongside the USS Frank Cable
for weapons exchange. After an eight day stay in Sasebo, Asheville departed, for home on 22 June. On the way home Asheville conducted an Operational Reactor Safeguard Examination
(ORSE). The ORSE team was brought on board 1 July. After a night of highly successful "Drilling and Spilling", the ORSE Board gave Asheville a high score. Asheville returned to Pearl Harbor in time for Fourth of July celebrations, to the sound of the submarine and surface ship whistles, on 2 July. During this deployment, Asheville reported to the following organizations, COMSUBRON
III, COMSUBGRU 7, CTF-74, CTF-54, as well as the Commander of the John C. Stennis Battle Group.
On 1 April 2005 Asheville returned to San Diego, California, after a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific. While deployed she performed National Security Missions, and took part in two international exercises. During the deployment, she made port calls at Guam
, Singapore, Japan, Saipan
, and Hawaii
.
On 1 August 2006, Asheville departed San Diego to return to the Western Pacific, for another six-month Deployment.
While deployed, she made port calls at Yokosuka, Japan, Hong Kong, Saipan, & Guam. She returned to her home port of San Diego, California, on 3 February 2007.
On 27 April 2007, Asheville entered Floating Dry Dock USS Arco (ARDM-5)
, at Naval Base Point Loma
, for a scheduled maintenance period.
On 16 August 2007 Asheville, exited USS Arco, having completed a highly successful upkeep.
Los Angeles class submarine
The Los Angeles class, sometimes called the LA class or the 688 class, is a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines that forms the backbone of the United States submarine fleet. With 43 submarines on active duty and 19 retired, the Los Angeles class is the most numerous nuclear powered...
. She is the fourth ship of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
to be named for Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
Northrop Grumman Newport News
Newport News Shipbuilding , originally Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company , was the largest privately-owned shipyard in the United States prior to being purchased by Northrop Grumman in 2001...
in Newport News, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
on 26 November 1984 and her keel was laid down on 9 January 1987. She was launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 24 February 1990, sponsored by Mrs. Dorothy Helms, and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 28 September 1991, with Commander Patrick Casey in command and the best initial manning crew the Navy has ever seen.
Asheville was fitted with a developmental Advanced Mine Detection System (AMDS) high-frequency active sonar
Sonar
Sonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
array with transmitters and receivers in the sail and in a disc-shaped chin sonar dome beneath the hull at the bow. The system is used for target detection, mine avoidance, and bottom navigation. After a highly successful testing period the system was removed during overhaul in 2003.
Asheville is home ported in San Diego, CA where she is assigned to Submarine Squadron 11
Submarine Squadron 11
Submarine Squadron 11 is a squadron of submarines based at Point Loma Submarine Base, San Diego, California, United States.- History :...
. She is currently commanded by CDR Gerald Miranda.
Ship's history
In December 1996, Asheville served as a trials platform for the Northrop GrummanNorthrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
Sea Ferret
Sea Ferret
The Sea Ferret was a submarine-launched aerial reconnaissance drone under development by the United States Navy, designed tobe launched from within a Sub-Harpoon missile canister and controlled by a submerged submarine to provide covert surveillance, weapons targeting, choke point interdiction, and...
reconnaissance drone. After Asheville simulated an underwater launch, a Cessna 206 test aircraft flew over the area of operations with the Sea Ferret attached to its underside. Technicians aboard Asheville transmitted commands to the Sea Ferret, which were received and responded to by the Cessna pilot. Control of the drone was then passed back and forth among the Asheville team, USMC First Force RECON
United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance
The Force Reconnaissance Companies , are one of the United States Marine Corps's special operations "capable" forces that provide essential elements of military intelligence to the command element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force ; supporting the landing or joint task force commanders, and...
, and an United States Army Aviation team, all three teams continuing to receive a continuous flow of sensor data.
In August 1998 Asheville returned from a six month Western Pacific Deployment (WESTPAC). After a 30 day stand down, she entered an extended maintenance period at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Dry Dock #4. On 14 December 1998, she was floated off the blocks, but remained tied up inside the flooded dock, until after the New Year.
Almost immediately after the maintenance period Asheville began a work-up for another six month deployment to the Western Pacific. This work-up included various underway periods, for weekly operations. At the end of May 1999, Asheville conducted two family day cruises. The first left Pearl Harbor and steamed to Lahaina, Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
. Asheville anchored a mile off the Maui coast for five days. She returned to Pearl Harbor, at the end of the week, with the second group of family members aboard. In July 1999, Asheville deployed to the Eastern Pacific (EASTPAC) for two months, continuing work-ups with the John C. Stennis Battle Group. During this deployment, she visited San Diego, CA, Esquimalt/Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan is a city in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska, United States, the southeasternmost sizable city in that state. With an estimated population of 7,368 in 2010 within the city limits, it is the fifth most populous city in the state....
. While conducting sound testing off the coast of Ketchikan, Asheville was suspended at a depth of 400 feet, and held in position by four mooring buoys above. During this 36 hour period, the crew made phone calls with a line rigged though an electrical fitting. After the testing, the boat surfaced. The crew ate hamburgers, and "got some sun". Some of the crew members swam in the 50 degree waters of Behm Canal
Behm Canal
Behm Canal is a channel in the Alexander Archipelago, in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alaska.About long, Behm Canal separates Revillagigedo Island from the mainland...
. She returned to Pearl Harbor, at the end of August, 1999. She conducted a six week upkeep period, after which a Change of Command Ceremony was held on 15 October 1999, as CDR Grooms was relieved by CDR Ingalls. At the end of October 1999, Asheville returned to San Diego for three weeks where she completed final work-ups with the Stennis Battle Group, including staged attacks on the ship. Asheville was the only ship in the Battle Group that was not successfully boarded or attacked. Another part of this final work up included SPEC WAR, off the coast of California, when Asheville launched a BGM-109 Tomahawk
BGM-109 Tomahawk
The Tomahawk is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile. Introduced by General Dynamics in the 1970s, it was designed as a medium- to long-range, low-altitude missile that could be launched from a surface platform. It has been improved several times and, by way of corporate divestitures...
Cruise Missile
Cruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...
. After the launch, an F-14 Tomcat
F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental program following the collapse of the F-111B project...
pilot took control of the missile. The missile flew to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
- About : is part of under Commander, Navy Installation Command and is located in the Western Mojave Desert region of California, approximately north of Los Angeles. Occupying three counties – Kern, San Bernardino and Inyo – the installation’s closest neighbors are the cities of Ridgecrest,...
, California, hitting the target perfectly. Asheville returned to Pearl Harbor at the end of November, 1999. She completed a six week upkeep period, and made final preparations for her forthcoming deployment.
  |
On 11 January 2000, Asheville departed Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
for a six-month Western Pacific Deployment (WESTPAC). She was part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group. This Battle Group included the carrier USS John C. Stennis
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
USS John C. Stennis is the seventh Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the United States Navy, named for Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi. She was commissioned on 9 December 1995...
, USS Lake Champlain
USS Lake Champlain (CG-57)
USS Lake Champlain is a Ticonderoga class cruiser in the United States Navy. It is the third ship to be named Lake Champlain, in honor of Battle of Lake Champlain, which took place during the War of 1812.-Ship history:...
, USS Port Royal
USS Port Royal (CG-73)
USS Port Royal is a United States Navy guided missile cruiser, the 27th and final in the class. She is the second U.S. warship to bear the name of two naval battles of Port Royal Sound, South Carolina, of the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War...
, USS Elliot
USS Elliot (DD-967)
USS Elliot was a in the United States Navy. Built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries at Pascagoula, Mississippi, the ship was named for Lieutenant Commander Arthur J...
, USS Russell
USS Russell (DDG-59)
USS Russell is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is the second ship of the USN to carry the name Russell and is named for Rear Admiral John Henry Russell and his son, Commandant of the Marine Corps John Henry Russell, Jr..In May 2004, Russell departed for a four-month...
, USS Denver
USS Denver (LPD-9)
USS Denver , an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, is the third ship of United States Navy to bear this name. Denver’s keel was laid 7 July 1964 at Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company, Seattle, Washington. She was launched 23 January 1965, christened by Mrs. John A...
, USS Pearl Harbor
USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52)
USS Pearl Harbor is a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy. She was named for Pearl Harbor, where World War II began for the United States....
, USS Thach
USS Thach (FFG-43)
USS Thach , an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, is a ship of the United States Navy named for Admiral John Thach , a naval aviator during World War II, who invented the Thach Weave dogfighting tactic....
, USNS Bridge
USNS Bridge (T-AOE-10)
USNS Bridge is the fourth ship in the Supply class of fast combat support ships and the second ship in the Navy named after Commodore Horatio Bridge. BRIDGE was commissioned on 5 August 1998. Her commissioning CO was CAPT Robbie Williams . The second CO was CAPT Rick Wren. In June 2001, CAPT ...
, and partner fast-attack submarine USS Jefferson City
USS Jefferson City (SSN-759)
USS Jefferson City , a , was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Jefferson City, Missouri. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 26 November 1984 and her keel was laid down on 21 September 1987. She...
. Asheville arrived in Yokosuka, Japan on 27 January 2000, in time for the crew to watch Super Bowl XXXIV
Super Bowl XXXIV
Super Bowl XXXIV featured the National Football Conference champion St. Louis Rams and the American Football Conference champion Tennessee Titans in an American football game to decide the National Football League champion for the 1999 regular season...
. She departed Yokosuka, on 3 February, and arrived in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
on 8 February, sailing into Victoria Harbor along with the entire Stennis battle group. She was tied up alongside USS Lake Champlain for electric power. Asheville left Hong Kong on 12 February, and arrived in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, on 17 February. On 21 February, Asheville departed Singapore, and arrived in Manama, Bahrain on 7 March 2000. During this time Asheville completed a mission vital to National Security, the details of which are not published. She left Bahrain that night after loading stores and became the first submarine to participate in Maritime Interdiction Operations
Maritime Interdiction Operations
Maritime Interdiction Operations are naval conducted operations, that aim to delay, disrupt, or destroy enemy forces or supplies en route to the battle area before they do any harm against friendly forces, similar to Air Interdiction Operations....
(MIO). On 18 March 2000 Asheville arrived in the free port of Jebel Ali
Jebel Ali
Jebel Ali is a port town, located 35 kilometres southwest of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates . The village has a thriving expatriate community with over 300 residents. The area is also home to "5,500 companies from 120 countries"....
, United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
. On 23 March, she left Jebel Ali and returned to Manama, Bahrain on 28 March. Asheville was tied up to the pier, just aft, of USS The Sullivans
USS The Sullivans (DDG-68)
USS The Sullivans , an Arleigh Burke-class "Aegis" guided missile destroyer, is the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the five Sullivan brothers — George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert Sullivan, aged 20 to 27 — who lost their lives when their ship, USS...
. Asheville departed Bahrain on 3 April to head back to the Pacific, turning over Battle Group responsibilities to USS Jefferson City
USS Jefferson City (SSN-759)
USS Jefferson City , a , was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Jefferson City, Missouri. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 26 November 1984 and her keel was laid down on 21 September 1987. She...
. Prior to leaving the area, Asheville completed a second, secret mission. While in transit to a port call in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the crew received word that three sailors from the USS Blue Ridge
USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)
USS Blue Ridge is the lead ship of the two Blue Ridge-class command ships of the U.S. Navy, and is the command ship of the United States Seventh Fleet. Her primary role is to provide Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence support to the commander and staff of the United...
had assaulted a taxi driver in Cebu
Cebu
Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
, Philippines. In an effort to smooth tensions with the Philippine Government, Asheville was directed to make way for Subic Bay
U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay
U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay was a major ship-repair, supply, and rest and recreation facility of the United States Navy located in Zambales, Philippines. It was the largest U.S...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Prior to pulling into Subic Bay, the captain took Asheville to a location a few miles south of the Equator
Equator
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass....
for crew members to become Shellback
Shellback
Shellback may refer to:*Shellback , from Karlshamn, Sweden*Shellback, California, former settlement*Shellback Wilderness, White Pine County, Nevada, U.S., wilderness area*Shellback Island, Victoria, Australia...
s. The next day while steaming north, Asheville stopped off the coast of Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
where the captain allowed a swim call. On 28 April 2000, Asheville pulled into Subic Bay, and became the second US Navy submarine to port in Subic Bay Freeport in four years. While there, Asheville sailors assisted in renovating a school, and conducted a VIP tour and cruise for top members of the Philippine government. The day was cut short due to a suspected coup attempt, with the emergence of Abu Sayyaf
Abu Sayyaf
Abu Sayyaf also known as al-Harakat al-Islamiyya is one of several military Islamist separatist groups based in and around the southern Philippines, in Bangsamoro where for almost 30 years various Muslim groups have been engaged in an insurgency for an independent province in the country...
. Asheville returned to port, returning the VIP's and taking on crew members previously left ashore. Asheville departed Subic Bay on 3 May, returning to Yokosuka, Japan, on 8 May to complete an upkeep period. On 15 May, Asheville departed Yokosuka, Japan to complete a third, secret mission. On 15 June 2000, Asheville arrived in Sasebo, Japan, and tied up alongside the USS Frank Cable
USS Frank Cable (AS-40)
USS Frank Cable is the second built by the Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company of Seattle, Washington for the United States Navy....
for weapons exchange. After an eight day stay in Sasebo, Asheville departed, for home on 22 June. On the way home Asheville conducted an Operational Reactor Safeguard Examination
Operational Reactor Safeguard Examination
An Operational Reactor Safeguard Examination is an examination conducted by senior United States Navy personnel on US Navy Nuclear Powered aircraft carriers and submarines...
(ORSE). The ORSE team was brought on board 1 July. After a night of highly successful "Drilling and Spilling", the ORSE Board gave Asheville a high score. Asheville returned to Pearl Harbor in time for Fourth of July celebrations, to the sound of the submarine and surface ship whistles, on 2 July. During this deployment, Asheville reported to the following organizations, COMSUBRON
SUBRON
SUBRON is the United States Navy abbreviation for Submarine Squadron. A SUBRON usually consists of three or more submarines. It is the submarine force equivalent to a Destroyer Squadron or DESRON in the surface Navy...
III, COMSUBGRU 7, CTF-74, CTF-54, as well as the Commander of the John C. Stennis Battle Group.
On 1 April 2005 Asheville returned to San Diego, California, after a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific. While deployed she performed National Security Missions, and took part in two international exercises. During the deployment, she made port calls at Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Singapore, Japan, Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
, and Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
On 1 August 2006, Asheville departed San Diego to return to the Western Pacific, for another six-month Deployment.
While deployed, she made port calls at Yokosuka, Japan, Hong Kong, Saipan, & Guam. She returned to her home port of San Diego, California, on 3 February 2007.
On 27 April 2007, Asheville entered Floating Dry Dock USS Arco (ARDM-5)
USS Arco (ARDM-5)
Arco is an ARDM-5 class Medium Auxiliary Repair Dry Dock in the service of the United States Navy.Arco was laid down on 9 May 1983 by Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, and launched on 14 December 1984. She was placed in service on 23 June 1986 at Naval Base San Diego...
, at Naval Base Point Loma
Naval Base Point Loma
Located in Point Loma, a neighborhood of San Diego, California, Naval Base Point Loma was established on 1 October 1998 when Navy facilities in the Point Loma area of San Diego were consolidated under Commander, Navy Region Southwest...
, for a scheduled maintenance period.
On 16 August 2007 Asheville, exited USS Arco, having completed a highly successful upkeep.
Awards
USS Asheville has received many awards during her Naval Career. Below is a list of known awards she has received since her commissioning in 1991.- Meritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Unit CommendationThe Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
(2) - Navy "E" Ribbon Squadron Battle "E" Award
- Navy Expeditionary MedalNavy Expeditionary MedalThe Navy Expeditionary Medal is an award of the United States Navy which was first created in August 1936 by General Orders of the Department of the Navy...
- National Defense Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalThe Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
- Southwest Asia Service MedalSouthwest Asia Service MedalThe Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War...
- Sea Service RibbonSea Service RibbonA Sea Service Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and the United States Army which recognizes those service members who have performed military duty while stationed on a vessel at sea....
- Engineering Excellence RED "E" (2)
- Medical Yellow "M"
- Navigation Red/Green N (2)
- 1999 Submarine Squadron III Commodore's Cup
- Captain Edward Ney Award Silver Medal (2)
- CINCPACFLEET Gold Anchor
- CINCPACFLEET Silver Anchor
Asheville in fiction
- In Tom ClancyTom ClancyThomas Leo "Tom" Clancy, Jr. is an American author, best known for his technically detailed espionage, military science, and techno thriller storylines set during and in the aftermath of the Cold War, along with video games on which he did not work, but which bear his name for licensing and...
's novel Debt of HonorDebt of HonorDebt of Honor is a novel by Tom Clancy. It is a continuation of the series featuring his character Jack Ryan. In this installment, Ryan has become the National Security Advisor when the Japanese government goes to war with the United States...
, the Asheville is destroyed by a Japanese submarine during a training exercise.
External links
- Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
- USS Asheville (SSN-758) 1996 command histories – Naval History & Heritage Command