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Career
Awarded:	26 November 1984
Laid down:	9 January 1987
Launched:	24 February 1990
Commissioned:	28 September 1991
Status:	Active in service as of 2007
Homeport:	San Diego, California
Unofficial Motto(s):	Ghost of the Coast EVIL IS OUR MIDDLE NAME Adopted by: T.J. Pew (1998)
General characteristics
Displacement:	6000 tons light, 6927 tons full, 927 tons dead
Length:	362 ft (110.3 m)
Beam:	33 ft (10 m)
Draft:	31 ft (9.4 m)
Propulsion:	one S6G reactor
Complement:	20 officers, 110 men
The City of Asheville's Flag. USS Asheville's P/T Banner.

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 November 26, 1984 and her keel was laid down on January 9, 1987. She was launched on February 24, 1990, sponsored by Mrs. Dorothy Helms, and commissioned on September 28, 1991, with Commander Patrick Casey in command.

Asheville is 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.

She is currently commanded by CDR. Broderick Berkhout, with LCDR. Tiger Pittman, as his Executive officer, and MMCM(SS) Burt Kuntz, serving as Chief of the Boat (COB).

In December 1996, Asheville served as a trials platform for the Northrop Grumman 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, a United States Marine Reconnaissance Team, and an United States Army Aviation team, all three users continuing to receive a continuous flow of sensor data.

In August of 1998 Asheville returned from a six month Western Pacific Deployment. After a 30 day stand down, she entered an extended maintenance period at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, where she was dry docked in Dry Dock #4. on December 14, 1998, she was floated off of the blocks, but remained tied up inside the flooded dock, until after the New Year.

Almost immediately after the end of 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. During the first we left Pearl Harbor, and steamed to Lahaina, Maui. Asheville anchored a mile off of the coast, so the Reactor remained critical. Asheville was in Maui, for five days, she then returned to Pearl Harbor, at the end of the week, with the second group, of family members aboard. In July 1999, Asheville made a two month deployment to the Eastern Pacific, to continue work ups with the John C. Stennis Battle Group. During this EASTPAC Deployment, she visited San Diego, CA, Esquimalt/Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and Ketchikan, Alaska. While off the coast of Ketchikan, Asheville conducted sound testing, where she was suspended at a depth of 400 feet, and held in position, by four mooring buoys, above her. During this 36 hour period, her crew was able make phone calls though a line, rigged though an electrical fitting. After this, the some of the crew members took a swim in the 25 degree waters of Behm Canal.^{[citation needed]} She returned to Pearl Harbor, at the end of August of 1999. She conducted a six week upkeep period, after which a Change of Command Ceremony was held on October 15, 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 the Stennis Battle Group, which included staged attacks on the ship. Asheville was the only ship in the Battle Group, not successfully boarded, and attacked. Another part of the this final Work Up included SPEC WAR, off the coast of California, during which Asheville launched, a BGM-109 Tomahawk Cruise Missile. After the launch the missiles controls were taken over by the pilot, of an F-14 Tomcat. The missile was flown to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, in California, where hit it's target perfectly. Asheville returned to Pearl Harbor, at the end of November of 1999. Where she completed a six week upkeep period, and made final preparations for her forthcoming deployment.

On January 11, 2000, Asheville departed Pearl Harbor for a six month Western Pacific Deployment. She was part of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) Battle Group. This Battle Group also included USS Lake Champlain (CG-57), USS Port Royal (CG-73), USS Elliot (DD-967), USS Russell (DDG-59), USS Denver (LPD-9), USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52), USS Thach (FFG-43), USNS Bridge (T-AOE-10), & USS Jefferson City (SSN-759). Asheville arrived in Yokosuka, Japan on January 27, 2000, just in time for the crew to be able to watch Super Bowl XXXIV. She departed Yokosuka, on February 3, and arrived in Hong Kong on February 8. She sailed into Victoria Harbor, along with the entire Stennis battle group. She was tied up alongside USS Lake Champlian, for power purposes. Asheville left Hong Kong on February 12, and arrived in Singapore, on February 17. On February 21, Asheville departed Singapore, and arrived in Manama, Bahrain on March 7, 2000. During this time at sea the Asheville completed a mission vital, to National Security, the details of which cannot be mentioned. She left Bahrain that night after loading stores, to participate in Maritime Interdiction Operations. She was the first submarine to do so. On March 18, 2000 Asheville arrived in the free port, of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. On March 23, she left Jebel Ali, and returned to Manama, Bahrain on March 28. Asheville was tied up to the pier, just aft, of USS The Sullivans (DDG-68). Asheville departed Bahrain on April 3 to head back to the Pacific, turning over Battle Group responsibilities to USS Jefferson City (SSN-759). Prior to leaving the area Asheville completed a second mission vital to National Security, the details of which cannot be mentioned. While in transit to what we had hoped would be a port call in Australia, we received word that while in port in Cebu, Philippines three sailors abroad the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)(Seventh Fleets Flag Ship), assaulted a taxi driver. In an effort to smooth things over with the Philippine Government, Asheville was directed to make way for Subic Bay, Philippines. Prior to pulling into Subic Bay, the captain, took Asheville south, to a location a few miles south of the Equator, so that, all crew members, that were not already, could become Shellbacks. The next day while steaming north, Asheville stopped, off of the coast of Borneo, where the captain allowed crew members to conduct a swim call. On April 28, 2000, Asheville pulled into Subic Bay, and became the first US Navy ship to make port there in over eight years. While there Asheville sailors assisted in renovating a school, as well as conducted a VIP tour, and Cruise, for top members of the Philippine Government. The day was cut short due to what was thought to be at the time, an attempted coup, with the emergence of Abu Sayyaf. Asheville returned to port to off load the VIP's and take on crew members left ashore, and then departed Subic Bay on May 3. Asheville returned to Yokosuka, Japan, on May 8, to complete an upkeep period. On May 15, Asheville Departed Yokosuka, Japan to complete a third mission vital to National Security, the details of which cannot be mentioned. On June 15th, 2000, Asheville arrived in Sasebo, Japan, and tied up alongside the USS Frank Cable (AS-40), to complete a weapons exchange. After an eight day stay in Sasebo, Asheville departed, for home, on June 22. On the way home Asheville was informed that she was to conduct, an Operational Reactor Safeguard Examination, ORSE. The ORSE team was brought on board, on July 1. 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 all the Submarine, and Surface Ship Whistles, on July 2. This was a highly successful deployment due to the training we received from CDR. Grooms, prior to his being relieved, by CDR. Ingalls. 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 April 1, 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 August 1, 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 February 3, 2007.

On April 27, 2007, Asheville entered Floating Dry Dock Arco ARDM-5, at Naval Base Point Loma, for a scheduled maintenance period.

On August 16, 2007 Asheville, exited Arco ARDM-5. Having completed a highly successful upkeep.

USS Asheville has received many awards thus far during her Naval Career. Below is a list of known awards she has received since her commissioning in 1991.

• Meritorious Unit Commendation (2)
• Navy "E" Ribbon Squadron Battle "E" Award
• Navy Expeditionary Medal
• National Defense Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Southwest Asia Service Medal
• Sea Service Ribbon
• Engineering 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

• CDR. Patrick Casey (1990-1992)
• CDR. Douglas B. Guthe (1992-1995)
• CDR. ? (1995-1997)
• CDR. Bruce E. Grooms (1997-1999)
• CDR. Kerry D. Ingalls (1999-2002)
• CDR. Patrick J. Scanlon (2002-2005)
• CDR. Scott C. Swehla (2005-2007)
• CDR. Broderick Berkhout (2007-Present)

• QMCM(SS) Fred Louese (1992-1995)
• ETCM(SS/DV) Timothy J. Pew (1997-2000)
• MMCM(SS) Jeff Daue (2000-2005)
• MMCM(SS) Burt Kuntz (2005-Present)

The Goat Locker is a slang term for a Submarines Chief's Quarters.

The current make up of Asheville's Goat Locker is as follows:

Due to the fact that the number of present and former crew members is so vast, the list cannot be included here. However by going to some of the websites in external links, Asheville crew members can add their names to the lists at those sites.

USS Asheville (SSN-758) Auxiliary Division January 6, 2000: Left to Right: MMC(SS) Smith, MM1(SS) John Evans, MM1(SS) Chris Petro, MM2(SS) Mario Toro, MM3(SS) Matt Carper, MM3(SS) Charles Moore, MM2(SS) Rick Jarchow, MM2(SS) Joe Matilla, MM3(SS) Ron Werts III, MM1(SS) Robert Mooney, MM3(SS) Mike Moran, MMFN(SS) Christopher Tiboni, MM3(SS) Josh Sell, MM3(SS) Mike Antoninich, MMFN(SS) Ryan Porzio.

USS Asheville Departing Pearl Harbor, on January 11, 2000, for a six month Western Pacific Deployment

Many think Submarines are small, as this picture shows, a Los Angeles Class Fast Attack Submarine, is actually quite large, as the USS Asheville (SSN-758) towers over this sailor in Dry Dock #4, at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

• In Tom Clancy's novel Debt of Honor, the Asheville is destroyed by a Japanese submarine during a training exercise.

This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register and various press releases.

• http://www.submarinesailor.com/
• http://www.csp.navy.mil/
• http://www.navybuddies.com/ssn/ssn758.htm
• http://www.myspace.com/uss_asheville_ssn_758

See USS Asheville for other ships of the same name.