The cargo ship discharged her passengers and their equipment in Japan and got underway for her return trip on the 16th. Brief layovers at San Francisco, California, and Balboa, Canal Zone, preceded her arrival in Norfolk on 22 October. The ship then entered an extended tender availability. She began the year 1954 with a trip to the Caribbean for TRAEX 2-54 at Vieques Island. On 19 January, "Alshain" touched at Port Everglades and took on board elements of Marine Aircraft Group 32. After debarking the troops at Morehead City, the cargo ship returned to Norfolk on the 28th.