Following training in Chesapeake Bay, "Ranger" underwent an overhaul at the Norfolk Navy Yard from 16 December 1942 – 7 February 1943. By December 33 Fighter Group had taken heavy losses in Tunisia and need reinforcement. Responding to Eisenhower's request, "Ranger" departed Norfolk on 8 January with the 325th Fighter Group aboard for delivery to Casablanca. She repeated the mission with another load, 75 P-40L fighters of the Army Air Forces' 58th Fighter Group to Africa, arriving at Casablanca on 23 February.