On the morning of 1 May, TF 17 and TF 11 united about northwest of New Caledonia (). Fletcher immediately detached TF11 to refuel from the oiler , while TF 17 refueled from . TF 17 completed refueling the next day, but TF 11 reported that they would not be finished fueling until 4 May. Fletcher elected to take TF 17 northwest towards the Louisiades and ordered TF 11 to meet TF 44, which was en route from Sydney and Nouméa, on 4 May once refueling was complete. TF 44 was a joint Australia–U.S. warship force under MacArthur's command, led by Australian Rear Admiral John Crace and made up of the cruisers , , and , along with three destroyers. Once it completed refueling TF 11, "Tippecanoe" departed the Coral Sea to deliver its remaining fuel to Allied ships at Efate.