Following a rigorous shakedown cruise Hendry sailed 23 October for Pearl Harbor, arriving 29 October. The transport then took part in extended amphibious training operations, designed to bring assault forces and ship's crews to a peak of readiness for the climactic operations ahead in the Pacific. She departed 11 December with troops to Midway, returning 9 days later, and got underway again 27 January, this time for the giant invasion of Iwo Jima.
After a thorough test voyage, Hendry sailed from her base on October 23rd for Pearl Harbor, arriving there on October 29th. The ship then engaged in extensive amphibious training exercises to prepare assault forces and crew members for the upcoming Pacific campaign. She departed on December 11th with troops bound for Midway, returning nine days later, and subsequently set sail again on January 27th for the massive invasion of Iwo Jima.