After Christmas at Yokosuka the squadron broke up into destroyer divisions for occupation duty. "Leary"s division, Task Force 69 (TF 69), was composed of the "Gearing"-class destroyers , , and . The division reported off the coast of Kure. After a few months, the division went back up towards Yokosuka. During exercises the faceplate on the MT 51 caved in, requiring a stay in Yokosuka for repairs. The rest of the division departed for Guam, with "Leary" joining them later after repairs were complete.