In January 1971, shortly after her last Seventh Fleet tour, "Coontz" departed San Diego via the Panama Canal for Atlantic waters and a major overhaul and modernization at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. In conjunction with this work, "Coontz" DLG-9 was decommissioned on 23 February 1971. After extensive anti-air warfare modification, "Coontz" was recommissioned on 18 March 1972 and transferred to her new home port of Newport, Rhode Island. Commander T.R.M.Emery was assigned to "Coontz" as Commanding Officer on 8 March 1972.