Returning to Norfolk again in November, she then departed for the Mediterranean area for further service with the Sixth Fleet Command under Vice Admiral Ballentine. She then left for Norfolk on May 21, 1951, remaining there until June 10. The ship underwent another Reserve Training Cruise until June 22, operating from the Norfolk area. On July 2, 1951, the NEWPORT NEWS participated in an operation demonstration exercise for Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall. The subsequent visit to New York for the 4th of July marked the first US port, other than Norfolk, the ship had visited. In change of command ceremonies July 28, 1951, Captain Parker was relieved of command by Captain William Goodwin Cooper.
Boarding 400 midshipmen, the NEWPORT NEWS began her first Midshipmen's Training Cruise from Norfolk on August 4, 1951. During this cruise the ship visited Halifax, Nova Scotia, Boston, MA, and then proceeded to the Caribbean area, operating from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The heavy cruiser returned to Norfolk September 14, to disembark the midshipmen.
As flagship for Commander SECOND FLEET, Vice Admiral Felix B. Stump, the NEWPORT NEWS became a participant in one of the largest fleet exercises since World War II, known officially as Lantflex 52.
The ship returned to the Norfolk Naval Base, then entered the Portsmouth Shipyard for a restricted availability period from November 21,1951 to
January 9, 1952.
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