Shortly after its activation 15 June 1942 the port was responsible for combat loading the Western Task Force of the North African invasion assault convoy. All of the combat loaded ships from the United States bound for North Africa, except with the 39th Combat Team embarked at the NYPOE, were loaded at the HRPOE. The port was again called on to combat load the reinforced 45th Infantry Division for Sicily. HRPOE had developed an efficient plan in which combat loaded ships were loaded in two "flights" whereby the first group would practice debarkation in the Chesapeake while the second group loaded and the second group would practice as the first refueled and topped off supplies.