In 2007 "Curts" was transferred from Commander Destroyer Squadron One to Commander Destroyer Squadron Nine and incorporated into Carrier Strike Group Nine. In March USS "Abraham Lincoln" Strike Group (CSG-9) departed for deployment to the 5th Fleet area of operations (Persian Gulf). This marked "Curts" first Strike Group deployment since transfer to the U.S. Naval Reserve. "Curts" primarily performed a Critical Infrastructure Protection role by acting as Scene of Action Commander for Oil Platform protection efforts at the Khawar al Amaya and al Basrah oil terminals in the northern Persian Gulf. "Curts" also conducted bi-lateral exercises with the Malaysian and Pakistani navies during her transit to the Gulf.