On 16 February, "Astoria" put back to sea for what proved to be an extended cruise in the southwestern Pacific with TF 17, built around the carrier and comprising the heavy cruiser , destroyers , , and , and the oiler , all under the command of Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher. Initially, TF 17's orders called for operations in the vicinity of Canton Island. However, after the Japanese discovered TF 11 on its way to attack their important new base at Rabaul and sent a determined raid which hit the "Lexington" task force off Bougainville on 20 February, Vice Admiral Brown asked for a second carrier to strengthen his force for another crack at Rabaul. Accordingly, TF 17 received orders to aid Brown in that attempt, and "Astoria" steamed with "Yorktown" to a rendezvous with TF 11 that took place southwest of the New Hebrides on 6 March.