"Ouellet" started out 1988 with a special operation coordinated by the United States Coast Guard to capture "Christina M", a cargo vessel laden with over 12 tons of marijuana. Instead of regular overhaul, "Ouellet" spent most of 1988 in a Ship's Restricted Availability repairing and upgrading most of her systems. Following extensive training, "Ouellet" made her ninth deployment in mid December 1988, where she headed to the Sea of Japan and the North Pacific Ocean. On 21 April 1989 USS Ouellet was first US Naval Vessel on scene for security and initial salvage of a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, AF Ser. No. 61-7974. She returned on 26 May 1989 to turn around and prepare to get underway again in September 1989 for "Pacific Exercises 89" (PAC EX 89).