On 5 June 1976, "Wabash" again set sail for WestPac. En route, she collided with during a towing exercise, but neither ship suffered damage curtailing her primary mission capabilities. No one was injured. After damage and voyage repairs at Subic Bay, "Wabash" commenced routine local operations in Philippine waters. On 9 July, however, she returned hurriedly to Subic Bay to load stores and cargo and departed the following day to conduct a "stern chase" of task group TG 77.7. This group was then headed for the Indian Ocean and a 30-day "show the flag" cruise. En route, "Wabash" rendezvoused with to load further supplies and stores, transited the Strait of Malacca, and entered the Indian Ocean on 17 July.