After a brief trip to Charleston, S.C., in August, "Willis A. Lee" participated in Operation "Sword Thrust," a NATO fleet exercise in the North Atlantic which combined the efforts of more than 60 British, French, Norwegian, Canadian, and American warships. While carrying out simulated attacks on the European continent during the course of the maneuvers, "Willis A. Lee" again crossed the Arctic Circle. After calling at Le Havre, France, "Willis A. Lee" returned to Newport. In November, she entered the Boston Naval Shipyard for an extensive overhaul, part of the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program.