"Conyngham" continued superior performance as she escorted U. S. Flagged merchant shipping through the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War in 1987 in Operation Earnest Will. During that deployment she sortied from Bahrain on short notice and provided assistance to after she was hit by two anti-ship missiles launched by an Iraqi F-1 Mirage. "Conyngham" was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for her efforts in assisting the crippled ship. In 1988, "Conyngham" continue the "Gus Can Do" tradition during her deployments to the Fjords of Norway and Northern Europe.