The destroyers , , and escorted "Kitkun Bay" and "Gambier Bay" as they sortied from Pearl Harbor on 31 May. Later that day, the two carriers rendezvoused with a bombardment group for the campaign, centered around the battleships , , "Maryland", and . This task group was escorted by a dozen destroyers, which were in turn also escorting the various vessels of Transport Division 16. "Kitkun Bay", along with the other carriers, launched fighter patrols to provide an air screen, and launched aircraft to conduct antisubmarine patrols.