Over the first nine months of 1978, "Biddle" operated out of Norfolk. While in port, she underwent a series of inspections and examinations for the purpose of assessing various aspects of the ship's operation. At sea, the warship ranged from the New England coast south to the West Indies participating in multiship exercises, conducting independent ship's drills, and making missile and gun shoots. On 3 October, "Biddle" exited Chesapeake Bay and embarked upon the third Mediterranean deployment of her career. She arrived in Lisbon Portugal, on 14 October and relieved the cruiser . On the 18 October, the guided-missile cruiser left Lisbon with units of TG 60.2 and entered the Mediterranean.