The frigate departed her home port on 7 January 1966 for Subic Bay, Philippines, via Pearl Harbor and Guam. She arrived at the Philippines on 30 January and, the following day, set course for the Gulf of Tonkin and operations with the 7th Fleet. On 4 February, "Worden" assumed "Tomcat" duties west of Hainan Island. After an eight-day visit to Sasebo, Japan, "Worden" departed on 1 March and returned to the Gulf of Tonkin to assume plane-guard duties for the aircraft carrier .