Following WESTPAC 96, "Crommelin" entered SRA-6 from January to March 1997. "Crommelin" received upgrades to all major weapons systems as well as the engineering plant. Following this availability, "Crommelin" and her crew began yet another work up cycle to prepare for her fifth deployment to the Persian Gulf as part of the U.S. 5th Fleet. "Crommelin" departed Pearl Harbor on 21 February 1998. During this deployment "Crommelin" distinguished herself by setting a Fifth Fleet record for number of vessels boarded and tonnage of illegal Iraqi petroleum seized and diverted.