The ship supported Operation Earnest Will. The Iranians and Iraqis escalated their attacks against ships sailing in the Persian Gulf during the Iran–Iraq War, and the U.S. launched Earnest Will to maintain freedom of navigation in the area. The Americans initially renamed and reflagged eleven Kuwaiti tankers. "Klakring" patrolled the Persian Gulf between Radar Picket Stations North and South. The ship repeatedly passed outbound through the Strait of Hormuz to refuel from underway replenishment ships, and then returned to the Persian Gulf. On 10 August, "Klakring" embarked a detachment of Army helicopters and helped coordinate the efforts of British tugs converted for mine sweeping. "Klakring" escorted —reflagged tanker "Al Rekkah"—outbound through the Strait of Hormuz on 30 August. The Iranians mined "Bridgeton" on 24 July, but the tanker survived.