page_title: USS Asheville (SSN-758)
section_title: 2000s
hierarchical_section_title: USS Asheville (SSN-758) / Ship's history / 2000s
caption_attribution_description: The is the city of Asheville, North Carolina's Flag. The Crew of USS Asheville use this as their Battle Flag. I created this image using Microsoft Paint. I was unable to find this image anywhere on the internet.
context_page_description: USS Asheville (SSN-758), is a Los Angeles-class, nuclear powered fast attack submarine. She is the fourth vessel 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.
  Asheville was fitted with a developmental Advanced Mine Detection System 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.
context_section_description: On 11 January 2000, Asheville departed Pearl Harbor for a six-month WESTPAC Deployment. She was part of the John C. Stennis CSG. This Group included the carrier John C. Stennis, guided missile cruisers Lake Champlain and Port Royal, destroyer Elliot, guided missile destroyer Russell, amphibious warfare ships Denver and Pearl Harbor, guided missile frigate Thach, fast combat support ship Bridge, and sister submarine 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 Harbour along with the entire John C. Stennis Carrier Group. She was tied up alongside Lake Champlain for electric power. Asheville left Hong Kong on 12 February, and arrived in Singapore, on 17 February. On 21 February, she 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 remain classified. 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 departed Bahrain on 3 April to head back to the Pacific, turning over Carrier Group responsibilities to Jefferson City. Prior to leaving the area, Asheville completed a second, National Security mission. While in transit to a port call in Australia, the crew received word that three sailors from the command ship 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 Shellbacks. 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 U.S. 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, she departed Yokosuka, Japan to complete a third, National Security mission. On 15 June 2000, Asheville arrived in Sasebo, Japan, and tied up alongside the submarine tender Frank Cable for weapons exchange. After an eight-day stay in Sasebo, she 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 successful "Drilling and Spilling", the ORSE Board gave Asheville a high score. She 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; COMSUBRON III, COMSUBGRU 7, CTF-74, CTF-54, as well as the Commander of Carrier Strike Group Seven.
  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 Ap
caption: The City of Asheville's Flag. USS Asheville's P/T Banner.
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