"Wichita" got underway to support a raid on Okinawa on 2 October. On 10 October, the fleet reached the waters off Okinawa and launched the strike. The following day, the fleet struck Aparri on Luzon. The fleet then raided Formosa, where they targeted Japanese airfields to prepare for the upcoming assault against the Philippines. On 13 October, Japanese bombers attacked the fleet and badly damaged the cruiser . "Wichita" took "Canberra" under tow, though she was relieved by the ocean-going tug on 15 October. "Wichita" joined the screen for "Canberra"; the squadron was joined by the badly damaged cruiser . The ships were attacked again the following day, and "Houston" was torpedoed again. "Wichita" left the damaged ships on 21 October, after they had successfully reached safer waters. "Wichita" then rejoined the fleet off Luzon, assigned to Task Force 34 under Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee.