On 27 June, "Worden" returned to Yokosuka to begin a short upkeep period to prepare for the American-Japanese midshipmen exchange cruise. The frigate sailed from Yokosuka on 17 July in company with "Midway" and the task group for air operations off northern Japan. After a brief stop in Yokosuka, "Worden" departed on 22 July for Kure, Japan, to participate in the midshipmen exchange cruise. The final phase of the cruise took place in port at Yokosuka on 30 and 31 July and included spirits and social events. "Worden" remained in Yokosuka until 2 August, when she sailed for task group operations along the northern coast of Japan. On 15 August, she began a period in port at Yokosuka and, in late August, sailed for the eastern Pacific, nearer the United States than she had been since deploying to the Pacific in October 1971. During this period, "Worden" remained in the company of a Soviet and Kynda II-class cruiser.