Following shakedown training off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the attack submarine returned to her home port, New London, Connecticut, and participated in local operations for the remainder of the year.

She then called at Portland, England and Le Havre, France, en route back to New London to resume normal operations.

On 1 August, Trigger joined SubRon4 at Charleston, S.C. her new home port and, in late September and early October, participated in NATO Exercise "Fishplay".

She called at Montego Bay, Rodman, and Acapulco en route, and arrived at San Diego, California, her new home port, on 6 September to join SubRon 3.

From 3 March to 7 June 1971, Trigger returned to Bangor to participate in Mk 48 Torpedo Selection Test Plan operations.

Following yard work at the Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard from July 1971 to April 1972, she made a voyage to the Nanoose Bay Acoustic Test Range and returned to San Diego on 25 May.

She left the Philippines on 3 February and, after calling at Hong Kong, participated in a joint United States-Canadian exercise off Taiwan.

The ship sailed for Yokosuka on 20 February and remained in Japan undergoing repairs until getting underway for the United States on 16 March.