From 14 to 21 January 1978, "Worden" cruised to Chinhae, South Korea. After briefly returning to Yokosuka on 25 January, the cruiser left again for operations with "Midway" and the task group. On 13 February, "Worden" and "Midway" rendezvoused with TF 77 and conducted "Readex 78", maneuvering to avoid detection by "enemy" ships and land-based aircraft from Okinawa while positioning for a simulated assault on the island of Okinawa. On 19 February, "Worden" got underway for Yokosuka, via Chinhae, South Korea. She arrived there on 27 February and began an in-port period.