In August 2011, USS "Mahan" made a port visit to Rockland, Maine, in support of the 64th annual Maine Lobster Festival. The crew participated in a parade, tours, a cooking contest, community service projects, and a 10K race. Later that month, "Mahan" visited Newport, Rhode Island to be the Surface Warfare Officer's School (SWOS) Ship for the week of 15–19 August. "Mahan" was sortied along with 26 other ships in preparation for Hurricane Irene, returning 1 September 2011. "Mahan" began a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at the Marine Hydraulics International shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, on 26 October 2011. During this availability, the ship received the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System upgrade. Commander Adam Aycock relieved Commander Kurt Mondlak as commanding officer on 4 November 2011.