On 30 October, "West Virginia" became the flagship for the Commander, Battleship Divisions, Battle Fleet. The ship spent the 1920s conducting routine training exercises and maneuvers with the fleet, punctuated by periodic overhauls; each year's training schedule culminated in the major Fleet Problems that tested operational and strategic doctrine that proved to be critical in the operations conducted against Japan during World War II. These operations took place in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as far north as Alaska and as far south as Panama. In 1925, while Captain Arthur Japy Hepburn commanded the ship, her gunners scored first place during a competition for short range shooting. "West Virginia" won the Battle Efficiency ribbon that year as well. Later in 1925, the fleet conducted joint Army-Navy maneuvers in Hawaii to test the defenses of the islands before embarking on a major cruise to visit Australia and New Zealand. "West Virginia" won Battle Efficiency ribbons in 1927, 1932, and 1933. During Fleet Problem X in March 1930, "West Virginia" was "bombed" by aircraft from the aircraft carrier . In Fleet Problem XI, held the following month, she and the battleship accidentally engaged the carrier , a fellow member of the "black" fleet, mistaking her for the "blue" fleet carrier "Lexington". The simulated friendly fire cost "black" fleet their carrier and led to calls for improved communication between ships and better ship identification training.