	In February 1944, the ship conducted local escort operations before joining the New York section of Convoy UGS-33, bound for Gibraltar. Its section rendezvoused off Norfolk with the remainder of the convoy and its flagship, "Bibb (WPG-32)", and set out across the Atlantic. On 7 March, "Vance" departed Casablanca with GUS-33 for the return voyage and put into the New York Navy Yard on 23 March for availability.