On 9 February 1953, after two more transit ASW exercises between Buckner Bay and Yokosuka, "Bataan" embarked VMA-312 for operations off Korea. She relieved HMS "Glory" as Commander, Task Unit (CTU) 95.1.1 on the 15th and began flying combat missions that same day. In addition to the usual armed reconnaissance patrols along the coast, her Marine Corps Corsairs attacked Chinese troop concentrations south of Chinnampo and on the Ongjin peninsula. These attacks were ordered because friendly partisan reports indicated Chinese troops were massing for attacks on UN-controlled islands close to the mainland.