[6][7] After Asheville simulated an underwater launch, a Cessna 206 test aircraft flew over the area of operations with the Sea Ferret attached to its underside.

In July 1999, she deployed to the Eastern Pacific (EASTPAC) for two months, continuing work-ups with the John C. Stennis (CVN-74) Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

While conducting sound testing off the coast of Ketchikan, Asheville was suspended at a depth of 400 feet, and held in position by four mooring buoys above.

At the end of October 1999, she returned to San Diego for three weeks where she completed final work-ups with the John C. Stennis CSG, including staged attacks on the ship.

Another part of this final work up included Naval Special Warfare, off the coast of California, when Asheville launched a BGM-109 Tomahawk Cruise Missile.

The missile flew to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, hitting the target perfectly.

Asheville arrived in Yokosuka, Japan on 27 January 2000, in time for the crew to watch Super Bowl XXXIV.

She left Bahrain that night after loading stores and became the first submarine to participate in Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO).

Asheville departed Bahrain on 3 April to head back to the Pacific, turning over Carrier Group responsibilities to Jefferson City.

While in transit to a port call in Australia, the crew received word that three sailors from the command ship Blue Ridge had assaulted a taxi driver in Cebu, Philippines.

Prior to pulling into Subic Bay, the captain took Asheville to a location a few miles south of the Equator for crew members to become Shellbacks.

The next day while steaming north, Asheville stopped off the coast of Borneo where the captain allowed a swim call.

[11] While there, Asheville sailors assisted in renovating a school, and conducted a VIP tour and cruise for top members of the Philippine government.

On 15 June 2000, Asheville arrived in Sasebo, Japan, and tied up alongside the submarine tender Frank Cable for weapons exchange.

On 27 April 2007, Asheville entered Floating Dry Dock Arco, at Naval Base Point Loma, for a scheduled maintenance period.