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.