 On 4 February, "Worden" assumed "Tomcat" duties west of Hainan Island.After an eight-day visit to Sasebo, Japan, "Worden" departed on 1 March and returned to the Gulf of Tonkin to assume plane-guard duties for the aircraft carrier .On 19 March, the frigate received a helicopter detachment on board; and, the following day, a rescue helicopter from "Worden" pulled a downed F-4 Phantom pilot from the water three miles from the beach.