After shakedown in the Caribbean Sea, the new minelayer rendezvoused with the battleships , , and and sailed 8 November for the Pacific to earn her nickname "Hammering Hank." "Henry A. Wiley" reached Pearl Harbor on 9 December to prepare for the impending Iwo Jima campaign. As escort to the battleship , she rendezvoused with other ships of the Gunfire and Covering Force off the rocky Japanese island on 16 February 1945, three days before the initial landings. She remained there until 9 March, to provide fire support and screen ships often operating a mere from Mount Suribachi. The minelayer poured some 3,600 rounds into the Japanese fortress.