After the opening of hostilities between Great Britain, France, and Israel on one side and Egypt on the other late in October 1956, the United States moved to stabilize this dangerous threat to world peace in the Middle East. The 6th Fleet steamed to the eastern Mediterranean, and following the closing of the Suez Canal on 1 November, the Maritime Administration reactivated "Lone Jack" for emergency tanker service. Acquired by the Navy on 28 November, she was transferred to Military Sea Transportation Service at New Orleans, Louisiana, placed in service as USNS "Lone Jack" (T-AO-161), on 15 January 1957.