 Turning her attention to the removal of other barriers "on the road to Japan," "Lackawanna" refueled the carrier task forces as they unleashed their devastating raids on Palau, Yap, and Truk during April and May.As expanding operations established the need for additional staging areas, the fleet prepared for the invasion of the Marianas.On 15 June amphibious assault forces landed on Saipan, and once again the lifeline of the fleet was on hand to refuel the thirsty ships.