"Doyle" deployed with the "Nimitz" Battle Group for Med 1-87 to the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean from 30 December 1986 – 30 June 1987. From 24 February to 3 March 1987, "Doyle" sailed in company with guided missile cruiser through the Turkish Straits and carried out freedom of navigation exercises in the Black Sea. On 1 March 1987, a Bulgarian (Druzki-class frigate (FF.12) trailed the U.S. ships, and the Soviets closely monitored their operations in the Black Sea. "Doyle" conducted surveillance of Soviet ships and submarines at an anchorage at Astypalaia, Greece from 3 to 12 March 1987. There were more significant incidents in adjacent years, 1986 Black Sea incident and 1988 Black Sea bumping incident.