to August 1952 she engaged in the training of submarine crews and services to the Fleet Sonar School at San Diego, California. On 10 September 1952, Bream was decommissioned to undergo conversion to an antisubmarine "hunter-killer submarine" at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco. The conversion included the installation of a snorkel — which enabled her to take in air and operate her diesel engines while submerged — streamlining of her conning tower, improving the habitability of the crew’s living spaces, and the installation of special sonar listening equipment. She was redesignated SSK-243 on 18 February 1953. She was recommissioned on 20 June 1953. Bream resumed operations with the Fleet Sonar School at San Diego. She also took part in numerous Pacific Fleet operations and exercises and conducted submarine crew training. She commenced a cold-weather training cruise to Alaska in September 1954 and made a stop at Pearl Harbor before returning to San Diego on 15 November 1954. She continued local operations along the coast of California until May 1955, when she made another voyage to Pearl Harbor. During her stay in Hawaii from 7 to 24 May 1955, she participated in an extensive antisubmarine warfare operation. She returned to San Diego late in May 1955 and resumed normal operations until late September 1955. On 22 September 1955, she entered Hunters Poit Naval Shipyard for an overhaul. In February 1956, Bream′s home port changed to Pearl Harbor and she was assigned to Submarine Squadron 7, Submarine Division 72. She left Pearl Harbor on 6 March 1956 for an extended cruise in the western Pacific. She reached Yokosuka, Japan, on 11 June 1956 and operated in that area during the next two months. In early August 1956, he made a short cruise to Chinhae, South Korea, and returned to Yokosuka via Yokohama, Japan. In early October 1956 he made a return visit to Chinhae and a call at Hong Kong for shore leave during the first week of November 1956. She began the voyage back to Hawaii on 2 December 1956 and arrived at Pearl Harbor on 9 December. From January to May 1957, Bream carried out local operations in the Hawaiian Islands from her base at Pearl Harbor. She commenced a trip to San Francisco 4 June 1957, arriving there on 13 June. After a week’s visit, Bream returned to Hawaii and remained at Pearl Harbor until mid-July