On 7 November 1956, "Laffey" departed Norfolk and headed for the Mediterranean at the height of the Suez Crisis. Upon arrival, she joined the 6th Fleet which was patrolling the Israeli-Egyptian border. When international tensions eased, "Laffey" returned to Norfolk on 20 February 1957, and resumed operations along the Atlantic coast. She departed on 3 September for NATO operations off Scotland. She then headed for the Mediterranean and rejoined the 6th Fleet. "Laffey" returned to Norfolk on 22 December. In June 1958, she made a cruise to the Caribbean for a major exercise.