On 25 May "Ariel" sailed for Norfolk, Virginia. On arrival she assumed duty with Service Squadron 7, Service Force, Atlantic Fleet. In the next 18 months "Ariel" operated along the east coast and made numerous voyages to ports in the Caribbean. Among her stops were Bermuda; Trinidad; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Havana and Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. This routine was interrupted by a voyage to Iceland in 1943. She left New York City on 15 August and sailed to NS Argentia, Newfoundland before continuing on to Iceland and reaching Reykjavík on 24 August. After unloading her cargo she returned to the east coast, arrived back at New York City on 7 September, and resumed her supply service to the Caribbean.