The U.S. Navy submarine USS Asheville welcomed Australian and United Kingdom visitors on board while in Perth this week, with pierside tours and a day ride out off the Western Australian coast. 

Docked at HMAS Stirling Naval Base near Rockingham, the nuclear-powered submarine hosted Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, plus WA Federal MPs Minister for Northern Australia and Resources Madeleine King and Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh.

On Wednesday, a number of Australian and diplomatic guests including U.K. High Commissioner Vicki Treadell, U.K. Consul General Tina Redshaw and Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling MP joined U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Rick Seif, Commander, Submarine Group 7, U.S. Consul General Perth Siriana Nair and U.S. Embassy Canberra Naval Attaché Captain Kevin Quarderer for a ride out in local waters.

They received a unique view above deck and experienced diving operations and fire drills, plus had the opportunity to meet and interact with proud U.S. Navy sailors.

The Royal Australian Navy’s Chief of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Taskforce Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead and Rear Admiral Matt Buckley also met U.S. Navy leadership before touring the submarine.

Additionally, while in Perth visiting USS Asheville, Rear Admiral Seif took time to participate in a roundtable discussion with researchers and students at the University of Western Australia’s Defence and Security Institute.

One of the U.S. Navy’s Los-Angeles class fast-attack submarines, USS Asheville is visiting Perth for combined training exercises with Royal Australian Navy submarine forces as part of a regularly scheduled patrol in the Indo-Pacific region.

Sailors are enjoying shore leave in the surrounding areas of Rockingham, Fremantle and Perth.

The last U.S. Navy submarine to visit Perth was USS Mississippi in November. This followed visits by the submarine tender the USS Frank Cable and submarine USS Springfield in April 2022.

Facts

• Named for Asheville, North Carolina
• Los Angeles-class, nuclear-powered submarine
• Rear Admiral Seif: biography
• Cmdr. Thomas Dixon: biography

Imagery & Multimedia

• B-roll: USS Asheville Arrives in Perth, WA – link
• Images: Deputy Prime Minister Marles Tours Asheville – link and link
• Images: Treasurer Chalmers Tours USS Asheville – link
• Images: Local Government Tours USS Asheville – link
• Images: USS Asheville Ride Out – link

Background

• Press release: USS Asheville Visits Perth, Western Australia (March 1, 2023) – link
• Statement: Joint Leaders Statement on AUKUS (March 13, 2023) – link
• Remarks: President Biden, Prime Minister Albanese of Australia, and Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom on the AUKUS Partnership (March 13, 2023) – link
• Fact sheet: Trilateral Australia-UK-US Partnership on Nuclear-Powered Submarines (March 13, 2023) – link
• Fact sheet: “U.S. Navy Attack Submarines”.The Navy has three classes of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) in service. Los Angeles-class submarines are the backbone of the submarine force, with approximately 40 in commission. Read more.
• About the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program: The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program provides militarily effective nuclear propulsion plants and ensures their safe, reliable and long-lived operation. This mission requires the combination of fully trained U.S. Navy men and women with ships that excel in endurance, stealth, speed, and independence from supply chains. Throughout the Program’s history there has never been a reactor accident, nor any release of radioactivity that has had an adverse effect on human health or the quality of the environment. The Program’s standards and record surpass those of any other national or international nuclear program. Read more.