While proceeding to the assault area off Mindoro on 13 December, the ship was constantly under air attack by single "kamikazes". That day, a lone "kamikaze" hit "Nashville". On 15 December, a 5-inch (127 mm) shell from "Phoenix" brought down a circling plane at . The ship then furnished her usual fire support and covered the landing forces. This gave the Allies a base from which to strike at Japan's shipping lanes through the South China Sea and to soften up Luzon for forthcoming landings.