 Starting in 1948 "Nereus" was primarily engaged in submarine repair and services at San Diego.On 24 April, Vice Admiral George D. Murray, Task Fleet commander, using "Nereus" as his flagship, announced six days of combat training exercises to take place the following week between San Diego and San Pedro.He expected to hoist his flag aboard cruiser "Saint Paul" for the exercises, involving 20,000 men, 30 ships and hundreds of planes.