 Transferred to Amphibious Squadron (PhibRon) 12 on 1 July 1961, "Wahkiakum County" participated in several amphibious landing exercises and contingency operations over the remainder of the year.During July and September 1961, she transported United States Naval Academy midshipmen from Annapolis, Maryland, to Little Creek, Virginia, for annual summer training and began a three-month Caribbean deployment in September 1961.During the Cuban Missile Crisis in the autumn of 1962, "Wahkiakum County" embarked the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and operated in support of the blockade of Cuba from 24 October 1962 to 7 December 1962.