Early the next day, "Bunch" returned to Ie Shima where she transferred some UDT-21 men to the beach control vessel, , for duty guiding the assault boats to their assigned beaches. She then stood out to screen the transports. At 0811, she went to battle stations when she overheard reports of radar picket destroyers to the northwest battling heavy enemy aircraft attacks. At 0935, "Bunch" spotted two Nakajima B5N Type 97 "Kate" carrier attack planes closing the transport area at low speed. One approached from the northeast, and "Bunch" joined the nearby transports in splashing that attacker promptly. Thereupon, the second "Kate" fled to the south but fell victim to a Vought F4U Corsair. The warship retrieved the men from UDT-21 late in the afternoon watch and then returned to the Hagushi anchorage. "Bunch" continued to support UDT-21's operations for the next few days, retiring nightly to Okinawa to anchor, and finally wrapping up post-assault demolition work at Ie Shima on the 20th.