Following in-port repairs, "Whipple" joined Task Group (TG) 77.6—based around the carrier —bound for Yankee Station. Upon relief by the destroyer as screen commander, "Whipple" put about for the Philippines and joined her squadron mates for the homeward-bound voyage to Pearl Harbor. After stops en route at Guam and Midway for fuel, the destroyer escort made port at Pearl Harbor on 25 August. Underway training, convoy and antisubmarine warfare exercises, and testing of the ship's ASROC occupied "Whipple" during October. November and December saw the ship undergo restricted availability at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.