Returning Milne Bay in mid-December, the transport began preparing for the assault on the Bismarck Archipelago. "Kilty" landed units of the 7th Marine Regiment for the initial attack on Cape Gloucester, New Britain 26 December. Following two more landings there, she sent troops ashore at Saidor 2 January 1944 to take an air strip which would help the Air Force patrol and support Cape Gloucester. "Kilty"s next objective was Green Island, where she landed troops on 15 and 20 February before returning to Port Purvis on Florida Island in the Solomons.