On 30 December 1944 "Cotten" in TF 38 put to sea to support the invasion of Luzon by screening during strikes on Formosa, Luzon (6–7 January), Camranh Bay, Indo-China; Hong Kong and Canton; and the Nansei Shoto. On 10 February the task force (again TF 58) sortied to open the Iwo Jima operation with a strike on Honshū on 16 February, with "Cotten" on the advanced scouting line. They returned to Iwo Jima to fly cover over the invasion landings on 19 February. Except for screening another raid on Japan on 25 February and one on Okinawa on 1 March, "Cotten" remained on fire support duty off Iwo Jima until 28 March. With she swept the area for Japanese shipping on 14 and 15 March, sinking two enemy picket boats.