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Visit by Deputy Prime Minister Caps Busy Port Visit for USS Asheville in Australia

26 March 2023

From Lt. Cmdr. Robert Reinheimer, Commander, Submarine Group Seven Public Affairs

HMAS STIRLING, Australia - The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) departed Royal Australian Navy (RAN) base HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, March 20.
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HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles shakes hands with Lt. j.g. Michael Nix, assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758), before going onboard for a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles shakes hands with Lt. j.g. Michael Nix, assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758), before going onboard for a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles shakes hands with Lt. j.g. Michael Nix, assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758), before going onboard for a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
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HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles shakes hands with Lt. j.g. Michael Nix, assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758), before going onboard for a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
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Photo By: Australian Department of Defence
VIRIN: 230316-N-NZ442-1075


While in port, the crew had a busy slate of tours and public engagement activities, highlighted by a visit from Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and other Australian political leaders.

Asheville was visiting Perth for combined training exercises with RAN submarine forces as part of a regularly scheduled patrol in the Indo-Pacific region.
INDIAN OCEAN (March 15, 2023) - The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) operates off the coast of Perth, Australia, March 15. Los Angeles-class submarines support a multitude of missions to include anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, and strike warfare. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
INDIAN OCEAN (March 15, 2023) - The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) operates off the coast of Perth, Australia, March 15. Los Angeles-class submarines support a multitude of missions to include anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, and strike warfare. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
INDIAN OCEAN (March 15, 2023) - The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) operates off the coast of Perth, Australia, March 15. Los Angeles-class submarines support a multitude of missions to include anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, and strike warfare. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
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INDIAN OCEAN (March 15, 2023) - The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) operates off the coast of Perth, Australia, March 15. Los Angeles-class submarines support a multitude of missions to include anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, and strike warfare. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
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Image Details
Photo By: Australian Department of Defence
VIRIN: 230315-N-NZ442-1003


“Asheville’s visit to Western Australia demonstrates an investment in new operational capabilities, advanced technologies, and idea-sharing with some of our closest Allies,” said Cmdr. Tom Dixon, commanding officer of Asheville. “My crew is committed to the sustainment of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles looks through the periscope in the control room of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) during a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles looks through the periscope in the control room of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) during a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles looks through the periscope in the control room of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) during a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
20230316ran8562933_0127
HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles looks through the periscope in the control room of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) during a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
Download Image
Image Details
Photo By: Australian Department of Defence
VIRIN: 230316-N-NZ442-1127


In addition to the tour with the Deputy Prime Minister, the submarine hosted tours for other leading Australian political figures, to include Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, plus Western Australia Federal MPs Minister for Northern Australia and Resources Madeleine King and Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh.

An underway during the middle of the visit provided a chance for the submarine to embark an additional group of Australian and diplomatic guests, for a rare opportunity to see what life is like at sea onboard a nuclear-powered submarine.

Guests for the underway included U.K. High Commissioner Vicki Treadell, U.K. Consul General Tina Redshaw and Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling MP. The guests were also joined by RAN Rear Adm. Matt Buckley, Head of Capability, Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce, Rear Adm. Rick Seif, commander, Submarine Group 7, and U.S. Consul General Perth Siriana Nair.
HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Rear Adm. Rick Seif, commander, Submarine Group 7 speaks with Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles before going onboard the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) for a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
INDIAN OCEAN (March 15, 2023) - Royal Australian Navy Rear Adm. Matt Buckley, Head of Capability, Nuclear Powered Submarine Task Force and Rear Adm. Rick Seif, commander, Submarine Group 7 board the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) for a distinguished visitor cruise with Australian political leaders and diplomatic guests, March 15. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles departs the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) following a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles visits the control room of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) during a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)
HMAS STIRLING, Australia (March 16, 2023) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, center, poses for a photo onboard the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) with Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead, Chief Nuclear Powered Submarine Task Force, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh, and Rear Adm. Rick Seif, commander, Submarine Group 7 following a tour, March 16. Asheville conducted multiple tours for distinguished visitors during a routine port visit to HMAS Stirling, Western Australia to enhance interoperability and communication, and strengthen relationships with the Royal Australian Navy. (Courtesy photo by Australian Department of Defence)


Many Asheville Sailors enjoyed their time exploring the area around HMAS Stirling, to include restaurants in the Fremantle area, and the sights of Perth.

“I really enjoyed my time in Australia, particularly the restaurants in Perth and Fremantle,” said Lt. j.g. Michael Nix, operational safety officer onboard Asheville. “It was amazing to work with multiple Royal Australian commands as one team to maintain freedom of the seas in the INDOPACOM AOR.”

Asheville is assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 15, which is located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam, in Apra Harbor, Guam, and consists of four Los Angeles-class attack submarines. The COMSUBRON 15 staff is responsible for providing training, material and personnel readiness support to these commands. Also based out of Naval Base Guam are submarine tenders USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). The submarines and tenders are maintained as part of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed submarine force and are readily capable of meeting global operational requirements.

Asheville was commissioned September 1991 and is named for Asheville, North Carolina.

For more information on Asheville, please visit https://www.csp.navy.mil/asheville/.

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