The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) was presented the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) by Rear Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander of Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Oct. 31,
The award was presented during a ceremony at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, for “displaying superb operational planning and tenacity” during the successful completion of a Western Pacific deployment.
According to the award citation from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, Asheville was recognized for meritorious service from April 2013 to September 2013, during which the ship completed two operations of great importance to national security and three theater anti-submarine warfare operations in support of fleet objectives.
Asheville was additionally lauded for their tactical acumen in the completion of two major combined exercises with the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
While completing their six-month Western Pacific deployment, Asheville visited Japan, the Philippine Islands and Guam. Asheville Sailors positively contributed to the communities at each port of call through active volunteerism.
Asheville conducted a change of homeport from Naval Submarine Base, Point Loma, California, to the historic Naval Submarine Base at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, in December 2013, following their most recent deployment.
They are currently conducting an extended engineering maintenance period at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and expect to return to Southern California after completion of sea trials.
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Press release, Image: US Navy