Departing Pearl Harbor, on 2 June 1942, "Curtiss" served as flagship for Commander, Naval Air, South Pacific, at Nouméa, from 16 June-4 August, then served as seaplane tender, flagship, repair and supply ship for destroyers and small craft engaged in the Solomon operations from Espiritu Santo, until 9 July 1943. After overhaul at San Francisco, she arrived at Funafuti, Ellice Islands, 7 November, to serve as flagship for Commander Air, Central Pacific, based at Funafuti, until 29 December 1943. She then served at Tarawa, from 31 December 1943 – 8 March 1944, Kwajalein, 10 March–26 June, Eniwetok, 27 June–9 August, Saipan, 12 August 1944 – 1 January 1945, and finally Guam, 2 January–7 February.