Sailors aboard nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) said farewell to friends and family members just before departing San Diego for a Western Pacific deployment, Aug. Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott Swehla said this deployment is the culmination of 18 months of hard work and preparation. He said he is confident that the boat and crew will execute their missions successfully. “USS Asheville,” said Swehla, “with her incredible array of modern sensors and weapons, provides the fleet commander the capability to conduct critical operations spanning the spectrum of peacetime to hostilities. While this deployment is nothing new for seasoned submariners like Swehla, this deployment will be a first for others.