Keller remained with the squadron for few months, before he was transferred to Marine Attack Squadron 223 ("Bulldogs") stationed on Hawaii. He was appointed Squadron Executive officer under famous Marine flyer Marion E. Carl and took part in the training and combat air patrols over Hawaii until August 1943, when the whole squadron was transferred to Midway Island. After a brief stay there, squadron moved to Quoin Hill Airfield at New Hebrides from where they escorted allied bombers against ground targets at Green Islands and Bougainville.