in the latter half of 1942, she was attached to submarine forces, southwest pacific, and operated independently out of brisbane as a target for the submarines out of fremantle. she then gave submariners practice in making approaches and battle surfacing. with the beginning of the buna-gona offensives in new guinea, "tulsa" escorted pt boats to take part in that campaign and operated between milne bay, new guinea, and cairns, australia. when the pt boat base at kana kopa, on the southeastern shores of milne bay, was established in november 1942, "tulsa" brought in much-needed equipment to aid in the operations being-conducted from that base. but five days before christmas 1942, "tulsa" grounded on an uncharted pinnacle and damaged her asdic gear, necessitating a return to yard facilities for repairs.