on 7 january 1944, as plans for the marshall islands campaign reached completion, she reported for duty with the u.s. 5th fleet at pearl harbor. two weeks later, with u.s. army assault units and combat cargo, she sailed with tg 51.1, the reserve force for operation flintlock. arriving in kwajalein lagoon 2 february, she remained anchored there, with her passengers and cargo uncommitted, until 15 february, when the island hopping pace was stepped up. the eniwetok assault date was pushed forward and the kwajalein reserve force became the expeditionary force for operation catchpole.