On 28 January 1943, "I-18" was attached to Submarine Force "A". She deployed to waters north of Rennell Island and south of Guadalcanal, where she formed a patrol line with the submarines — which served as the force's flagship — "I-16", "I-17", "I-20", , "I-26", , and , targeting any Allied naval forces attempting to interfere with Operation Ke, the Japanese evacuation of their forces on Guadalcanal. On 2 February 1943, Submarine Force A received orders to intercept a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier task force southeast of San Cristobal, but they failed to find the task force.