 Aware of the presence of Halsey 's carriers and other large warships near Guadalcanal , the Japanese considered canceling the third evacuation run , but decided to go ahead as planned . Kondo 's force closed to within 550 mi ( 480 nmi ; 890 km ) of Guadalcanal from the north to be ready in case Halsey 's warships attempted to intervene . Hashimoto departed the Shortlands with 18 destroyers midday of 7 February , this time taking a course south of the Solomons instead of down the Slot . A CAF strike force of 36 aircraft attacked Hashimoto at 17 : 55 , heavily damaging Isokaze with a bomb near miss . Isokaze retired escorted by Kawakaze . The Allies and the Japanese each lost one aircraft in the attack . 
