Lunga Point
After gunnery exercises from 3 to 23 February, "William C. Cole" reported by dispatch on the 23d to Commander, 5th Fleet. From 24 February through the first week in March, she performed screening duties off the transport staging area, Lunga Point, Guadalcanal, protecting the transports of Amphibious Squadron 4 (PhibRon 4) during landing exercises in the vicinity. While the transports of PhibRon 4 loaded at Lunga Point, "Cole" screened them from 10 to 13 March. On the latter day, she received onward routing and proceeded for the Russell Islands.