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. Their efforts were noted for strengthening key regional alliances and contributing to theater security cooperation objectives. One of the many highlights for Asheville was hosting the Yokosuka Middle School girls Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program.

"This recognizes the hard work of the crew of Asheville, and is well deserved," said Cmdr. Paul Pampuro, Asheville's commanding officer. "The memories of deployment and getting Asheville back to sea are what drive this amazing crew every day."

Pampuro said the crew knows the studying, training and hard work put in now will contribute to Asheville's continued at-sea success in the future.

"Congratulations go out to the families of Asheville as well," added Pampuro. "Their support, both in port and while at sea, allow the men to excel at very complex and demanding jobs."

The MUC was established by frmer Secretary of the Navy John T. McNaughton in 1967 to be given to units for valorous or meritorious achievement.

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.