In mid-April, the destroyer underwent a tender availability alongside during which the DASH system was removed. Although unmanned aerial vehicles would return to warships in the future, the DASH system's immature technology proved too unreliable for continued operation. "Carpenter" spent the next few months conducting refresher training in preparation for a major fleet exercise that summer. Underway for San Diego, California, and STRIKEX 1-68 on 14 June, "Carpenter" carried out shore bombardment, anti-surface and anti-cruise missile operations in the waters off Southern California until 2 July. She then steamed to Santa Monica, California, for a port visit before returning to Pearl Harbor. Following a series of pre-deployment tests and inspections, and a tender availability alongside "Bryce Canyon", "Carpenter" received upgrades to her radar fire-control systems in preparation for her next Vietnam tour. After testing the new equipment in early September, "Carpenter" got underway for another Far East deployment on 17 September.