returned to Manama, Bahrain on 28 March. Asheville departed Bahrain on 3 April to head back to the Pacific, turning over Carrier Group responsibilities to Jefferson City. Prior to leaving the area, Asheville completed a second, National Security mission. While in transit to a port call in Australia, the crew received word that three sailors from the command ship had assaulted a taxi driver in Cebu, Philippines. In an effort to smooth tensions with the Philippine Government, Asheville was directed to make way for Subic Bay, 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. On 28 April 2000, Asheville pulled into Subic Bay, and became the second U.S. Navy submarine to port in Subic Bay Freeport in four years. While there, Asheville sailors assisted in renovating a school, and conducted a VIP tour and cruise for top members of the Philippine government. The day was cut short due to a suspected coup attempt, with the emergence of Abu Sayyaf. Asheville returned to port, returning the VIP's and taking on crew members previously left ashore. Asheville departed Subic Bay on 3 May, returning to Yokosuka, Japan, on 8 May to complete an upkeep period. On 15 May, she departed Yokosuka, Japan to complete a third, National Security mission. On 15 June 2000, Asheville arrived in Sasebo, Japan, and tied up alongside the submarine tender for weapons exchange. After an eight-day stay in Sasebo, she departed for home on 22 June. On the way home, Asheville conducted an Operational Reactor Safeguard Examination (ORSE). The ORSE team was brought on board 1 July. After a night of successful "Drilling and Spilling", the ORSE Board gave Asheville a high score. She returned to Pearl Harbor in time for Fourth of July celebrations, to the sound of the submarine and surface ship whistles, on 2 July. During this deployment, Asheville reported to; COMSUBRON III, COMSUBGRU 7, CTF-74, CTF-54, as well as the Commander of Carrier Strike Group Seven. On 1 April 2005 Asheville returned to San Diego, California, after a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific. While deployed she performed National Security Missions, and took part in two international exercises. During the deployment, she made port