The warship began 1972 with several more periods of technical evaluations at sea in January and February. In March, she entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard to be modified to carry a LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) helicopter. That work came to a conclusion early in April; and, on the 12 April, "Biddle" departed Norfolk on her way back to southeast Asia. Along the way, she transited the Panama Canal and visited Pearl Harbor and Guam before arriving in Subic Bay on 11 May. On the 14 May, the warship put to sea for the combat zone. She entered the zone on 15 May and, the following day, relieved the destroyer on the northern Search and Rescue (SAR) station. "Biddle" spent over a month on station operating as a SAR picket and directing antiair warfare before returning to Subic Bay on 26 June.