Whilst at Manus Island, "Petrof Bay" was assigned to Task Unit 77.4.1, or "Taffy 1" of Task Group 77.4, the Escort Carrier Group. Commanded by Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague, it consisted of the s , which was Sprague's flagship, , , , as well as the "Casablanca"-class escort carriers "Saginaw Bay" and "Petrof Bay" in Carrier Division 28, subdivided from the other carriers, but still within the same task unit. Carrier Division 28 was commanded by Rear Admiral George R. Henderson, whose flag was still hoisted onboard "Saginaw Bay". On 14 October, she sortied from Seeadler Harbor, headed for the Leyte Gulf in support of the opening landings on Leyte, which was to be the return of American forces to the Philippines, and which would also begin the Philippines campaign.