Following fitting out and conversion at the Boston Navy Yard, Turandot made her shakedown cruise in the Chesapeake Bay in July 1945.

She transited the Panama Canal on 30 July and, early the next day, rendezvoused with the submarine Barbero for exercises en route to the Hawaiian Islands.

The following day, she discharged her cargo and passengers and returned to Eniwetok to begin "Magic Carpet" duties, carrying troops back to the United States.

Turandot opened the new year with a voyage to San Diego; then, on the 24th, continued southward and steamed, via the Panama Canal, to the Atlantic.

On 4 November 1954, the former attack cargo ship was reacquired by the Navy to support Project Caesar, the unclassified name for the installation of the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS).