On the night of 16 February, Japanese aircraft launched an attack on the Task Group and torpedoed the carrier . Task Unit 58.2.4, which included "Wichita", was detached to escort "Intrepid" back to safety and repairs. The ships reached Majuro on 20 February, and departed for Hawaii eight days later. The ships arrived in port on 4 March, and on the 9th, "Wichita" became the flagship of Cruiser Division 6. On 15 March, Cruiser Division 6 departed Hawaii to return to Majuro, arriving on 20 March. After arriving, she joined the screen for the Fast Carrier Task Force, which struck Japanese bases on Yap, Woleai, and in the Palaus. "Wichita" supported strikes on Hollandia in New Guinea on 13–22 April. The task force returned to the seas off Truk on 29 April for a second round of airstrikes on the port. While the carriers were striking Truk, "Wichita" and several cruisers and destroyers shelled Japanese targets on Satawan Island in the Nomol group of the Caroline Islands.