After a short upkeep in San Pedro Bay, Leyte on 8 December, "Laffey" with ships of Close Support Group 77.3 departed on 12 December for Mindoro, where she supported the landings on 15 December. After the beachhead had been established, "Laffey" escorted empty landing craft back to Leyte, arriving at San Pedro Bay on 17 December. Ten days later, "Laffey" joined Task Group 77.3 (TG 77.3) for patrol duty off Mindoro. After returning briefly to San Pedro Bay, she rejoined the 7th Fleet, and during the month of January 1945 screened amphibious ships landing troops in the Lingayen Gulf area of Luzon. Retiring to the Caroline Islands, "Laffey" arrived at Ulithi on 27 January. In February, she supported TF 58, conducting diversionary air strikes on Tokyo and direct air support of Marines fighting on Iwo Jima. Late in February, "Laffey" carried vital intelligence information to Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz at Guam, arriving on 1 March.