Challenger had received some hasty repairs and upgrades since returning from her previous deployment.

He had learnt the vital necessity of having a sound supply line from his previous deployment in the Crimea.

The brigade has combat experience in Afghanistan from two previous deployments and includes the following units:

As during the previous deployment, she alternated tours of duty in Korean waters with port calls at Japanese ports for repairs, upkeep, rest, and relaxation.

The end of the Vietnam War two years earlier meant that the guided-missile destroyer conducted different operations than during her previous deployments to the Far East.

Highlighting this period were numerous multilateral and unilateral exercises, as in previous Mediterranean deployments.

The division and brigade served in the eastern region of the country, along the border with Pakistan, fulfilling a similar role as it did during its previous deployment.

As with its previous deployment to Afghanistan, the brigade was headquartered at Forward Operating Base Salerno.

Over the following five months, the destroyer conducted operations along the coast of Vietnam similar to those performed during previous deployments.

Completing her repair work on 3 February 1978, Whipple resumed the pattern of operations out of her home port which she had assumed following the previous deployment.