as the formal surrender documents were being signed in tokyo bay, "orion" was en route to the united states. assigned to the atlantic fleet, she operated off the east coast for four months, then sailed south to balboa, c. z. taking up duties with subron 6, 24 january 1946, she remained in the panama canal zone, with one interruption for overhaul, until 11 may 1949. then, with subron 6, she steamed to norfolk, her new homeport.