With Rear Admiral F.S. Withington, USN, Commander Amphibious Group 3 and Commander Task Force 9, embarked, "Estes" left San Diego on 6 July 1953, setting course for Kodiak, Alaska. This time, the purpose of "Operation Blue Nose," as it was called, was to resupply government installations—the "DEW Line"—in the far north. "Estes" arrived at Kodiak one week out of San Diego. Proceeding north, the personnel of TF 9 were officially inducted into the "Honorary Order of the Arctic" as "Blue Noses" when the force crossed the Arctic Circle on 19 July. While at anchor at Icy Cape, "Estes" received news that a truce had been signed in Korea. Continuing north to Wainwright on 31 July, "Estes" pressed on to Point Barrow the following day. At anchor off Point Barrow, "Estes" fell temporary victim to a shift in the wind which allowed pack ice to move inshore, immobilizing the ship for the better part of a week. The icebreaker freed "Estes", and the transports and , from the icy confines of the anchorage. The resupply mission complete, "Estes" set course for its home port of San Diego on 9 August.