南西方面艦隊
Soon after, "Ayanami" was targeted and shelled by the battleship , receiving critical damage. "Uranami" evacuated the crippled destroyer (which was scuttled after the battle). After the battle, "Uranami" escorted the aircraft carrier from Truk to Yokosuka, returning to Rabaul in mid-February 1943 to resume patrol, escort and transport missions in the Solomons. On 25 February 1943, "Uranami" was reassigned to the Southwest Area Fleet. During the Battle of the Bismarck Sea on 1–4 March, "Uranami" sustained repeated air attacks without damage, and assisted in the rescue of survivors.