While "I-171" was on patrol, the last Japanese troops were evacuated from Kiska on 28 July 1943. Allied forces did not detect the evacuation and launched a full-scale invasion of unoccupied Kiska in Operation Cottage on 15 August 1943, but Japanese involvement in the Aleutians campaign had ended with the 28 July evacuation. On 5 August 1943, "I-171" departed Paramushiro bound for Kure, where she arrived on 10 August 1943. While she was at Kure, Submarine Division 12 was reassigned to Submarine Squadron 3.