On 22 November 1943, "Nagara" sortied from Truk in response to the American invasion of Tarawa and the Gilbert Islands, arriving at Kwajalein on 26 November 1943. It was attacked by Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo-bombers and Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers from Task Group 50.3's aircraft carriers and and damaged enough to justify a return to Japan in January 1944.