after a major overhaul in december 1943, she resumed operations in the milne bay-cape cretin area. she departed the bay on 8 january 1944, with a fuel barge in tow, "en route" to cape cretin. there, she joined , "lst-453", and ss "mulcra", to serve as headquarters ship for capt. bern c. anderson, commander, task unit 76.5.3 (tu 76.5.3).