They reached the Azores on 21 May 1969, where they were joined by the high-speed transport USS "Ruchamkin" (APD-89), which had been assigned to support them. From 2 June 1969 until 2 August 1969, "Apache", "White Sands", and "Ruchamkin" maintained station near "Trieste II" while the bathyscaphe investigated the remains of "Scorpion". On 7 August 1969, "Apache" took "White Sands", again carrying "Trieste II", under tow and, parting company with "Ruchamkin", began the long voyage back to San Diego, which they reached on 7 October 1969. Upon her return, "Apache" began preparations for an extensive overhaul, and she entered the yards at San Diego on 15 December 1969. After this work was completed in mid-April 1970, "Apache" held refresher training until late June 1970 and then carried out local operations through 25 September 1970, when she got underway for Panama to escort the submarine USS "Dolphin" (AGSS-55) back to San Diego. In January 1971, "Apache" resumed operations with "Trieste II". "Apache" left San Diego on 5 October 1971 for a series of special operations in the Pearl Harbor area which continued until early May 1972. On 23 May 1972, "Apache" arrived back at San Diego. "Apache" Tuesday 13 December 1972 The Apache celebrated its 30 Birthday. There was a party at the EL Cortez Hotel in San Diego, CA. "Apache" got underway once again in June 1972 and alternated salvage operations with towing services for "Trieste II". She continued this routine through March 1973 when she began a repair period at San Diego. Several material casualties prolonged the work, and "Apache" did not leave the shipyard until 21 May 1973, when she sailed with "Trieste II" for waters off the coast of San Francisco to take part in Operation Teleprobe. However, bad weather postponed the operation, and "Apache" sustained further damage which forced her to return to San Diego on 23 June 1973 for three weeks of repair work. "Apache" arrived in San Francisco on 18 July 1973 and, on 20 July 1973, got underway for Hawaiian waters to resume Operation Teleprobe. The operation was successfully completed on 30 July 1973, and "Apache" arrived back in San Diego on 8 August 1973 for more local operations. "Apache" made her last tow as an active U.S. Navy ship on 31 January 1974, when she delivered the frigate USS "Sterett" (DLG-31) to Long Beach, California.