After another five-month Mediterranean deployment in 1979, "Detroit" returned to Norfolk for a short six-month turn-around in preparation for her seventh Mediterranean deployment, commencing on 14 July 1980. A Suez Canal transit followed National Week exercises, and the new routine became the support of U.S. 7th Fleet’s Indian Ocean Battle Group operating in the vicinity of the Persian Gulf. Returning through the Suez, "Detroit" proceeded to service 6th Fleet units prior to visiting Lisbon, Portugal, in late November. "Detroit" returned to Norfolk on 11 December 1980. On 10 June 1981 "Detroit" ran aground when she veered from the dredged channel and ran aground in shallow water in Hampton Roads while the ship was entering port. She was refloated four days later after fuel and weapons were removed. There was no apparent damage to ship or injuries to the crew, but the commanding officer was relieved of command for the incident. "Detroit" departed Norfolk on 25 June 1981 for her eighth Mediterranean deployment. She serviced 6th Fleet and NATO units and participated in the missile exercises in the Gulf of Sidra, when two Libyan aircraft were shot down by F-14 Tomcats from USS Nimitz (CVN-68). "Detroit" returned to Norfolk on 8 November 1981. In January 1982, "Detroit" began her second shipyard overhaul at Norfolk Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company’s Berkeley Yard in Chesapeake, Virginia. The focus of this overhaul was on the engineering plant and the crew’s living quarters. Her defensive capability was also upgraded by the addition of two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Mark 15 guns. "Detroit" left the yard in January 1983. On 20 October 1983, "Detroit" departed for deployment with the 6th Fleet. While in the Mediterranean, "Detroit" was the principal combat logistics force ship supporting U.S. and Allied units of the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force, in Beirut, Lebanon. Throughout the height of the crisis, "Detroit" provided logistical support to two carrier battle groups, the battle group and the deployed Marine Amphibious Ready Group. On 9 January 1984 "Detroit" suffered a fuel fire in her forced-draft blower while moored at Souda Bay, Crete. Some crew members were treated for smoke inhalation. When she returned to Norfolk on 2 May 1984, "Detroit" had completed 301 replenishments, a new ship’s record. In February 1985, "Detroit" completed an extensive three-month repair availability.