[1][2] One of the modifications for these ships was increased length, approximately that of the C3 type, no bow or stern sheer and a flat, broad funnel.

[5] Following final fitting out and shakedown training, the cargo ship began operating among ports on the East Coast of the United States.

[5] She picked up more cargo at Norfolk, Va., in mid-January 1942 and returned to New York City to embark troops before getting underway on 5 February for Europe.

[5] After touching at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Alhena reached Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 27 February and remained there for approximately two weeks discharging her passengers, equipment, and supplies.

She reached Tongatapu on 9 May; landed Army and Navy personnel; left that island two weeks later; and arrived at San Diego, California, on 5 June.

While in port, the vessel underwent repairs and alterations before taking on marines and equipment for transportation to the South Pacific.

After completing the exercises, she sortied with Task Group (TG) 62.1 for Guadalcanal, arrived off that island on 7 August, and began unloading operations.

In spite of heavy enemy air attacks, the ship carried out her task successfully and got underway on the evening of the 9th for Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, where she arrived the next morning.

The ship took on another load of cargo; set out for the Solomons on the 20th; reached Tulagi two days later; and began discharging sorely needed supplies.

The work proceeded successfully in spite of heavy Japanese air harassment until the task was completed on the 29th and the vessel sailed for Espiritu Santo.

They reached Noumea on the 20th, and the repair work continued until 8 November when she got underway towed by the seagoing tug Navajo over 2500 miles for Australia.

She reached Sydney on 20 November and remained there until the following June undergoing final repairs and conversion to an attack cargo ship.

During the next few months, the ship was engaged in runs between Nouméa and Guadalcanal and also made port calls at Auckland, New Zealand, to take on cargo.

Throughout April and May, Alhena conducted maneuvers and loading operations in Hawaiian waters in preparation for the impending assault on Saipan.

Despite undergoing two air attacks while unloading, she completed the process on the 23d, left the area, touched at Pearl Harbor on 4 July, and pushed on the next day toward the California coast.

While at anchor in Seeadler Harbor waiting to discharge her cargo, she was damaged by the explosion of ammunition ship Mount Hood (AE-11) at 0855 on 10 November.

[5] The Alhena in company with Task unit 51.1.4 anchored off the eastern beaches of Iwo Jima at 0920, 27 February, and commenced unloading operations.

[9] Only one percent of total cargo was unloaded prior to 1813 hours, at which time night retirement was made with transport vessels of various units as designated by the Commander Joint Expeditionary Force.

Unloading operations were interrupted by an air raid warning at 0130 hours, 1 March, during which smoke was made for a period of one-half-hour.

Unloading was secured and night retirement commenced at 1730 hours in company with units of the Joint Expeditionary Force Reserve.

During the afternoon LSM 260 was brought alongside, with considerable difficulty, but before unloading could be started it was recalled by Commander Task Group 51.1.

LSM 145 secured alongside just before operations were suspended at 2122 hours by an air raid warning during which smoke was made for fifteen minutes.

During the remainder of the day the ship's platoon was disembarked, a staff communication organization was taken aboard from two units of the fire support group, and eleven casualties were received from the beach.

From early June through the end of the war in September, Alhena operated between Manila, Philippines, and various ports in New Guinea carrying troops, supplies, and equipment.

[11][note 2] In May 1948 Robin Kettering departed Erie Basin, Brooklyn, to begin service around Africa into the Indian Ocean.