From 1967 to 1969 Reeves was forward deployed and homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. During that time the typical operational cycle consisted of a ten-day to two-week period "at home" followed by an eight-nine week period of operations in the Vietnam combat zone. Reeves' typical duties revolved about the Gulf of Tonkin Search and Rescue (SAR) stations and providing escort for aircraft carriers on Yankee Station.
As an "all-missile" ship, Reeves was equipped with two Terrier missile launching systems, one forward and one aft and carried a total of 100 Terrier Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM). Additional armament consisted of two twin 3"/50 gun mounts, one Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASROC) launcher, and two triple-tube torpedo launchers. In addition, the ship, while on SAR duty, also hosted a helicopter and crew.