In October 1985, "Biddle" deployed for the Mediterranean with the battle group. In November as planned, she detached from the "Coral Sea" battle group and joined the aircraft carrier for a transit through the Suez Canal into the Indian Ocean for the bulk of operations in the North Arabian Sea. The battle group crossed the equator on 10 December 1985 and participating crewmembers became "Shellbacks." During a port visit in early January 1986 at Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, the battle group was informed that they needed to get underway on very short notice. Included with replenishment supplies was a videotape of President Reagan's address to the nation blaming Libyan President Muammar al-Gaddafi for connections with Christmas Day airport bombings in Europe. Both "Saratoga" and "Coral Sea" were integrated into one carrier battle group.