On 12 January, "Biloxi" joined TG 58.1, built around the carriers , , and , and sailed west for a carrier raid against the Japanese base at Truk Lagoon in the central Pacific. Intended to cover the landings on Eniwetok and to distract the Japanese from Allied operations in New Guinea, "Operation Hailstone" began on 16 February when the carriers struck enemy airfields on Truk. After a second strike during the morning of the 17th, the task group retired east to refuel. Following the departure of "Enterprise" later that day, the remaining warships were shifted into TG 58.2 and steamed northwest for a strike against Saipan.