The Americans were taken entirely by surprise because the 7th Fleet had firmly believed that its northern flank was being protected by Admiral Halsey's immensely powerful 3rd Fleet, which consisted of ten fleet carriers and six fast battleships.
Amerikanerne blev overrasket fuldstændigt fordi 7. flåde regnede med at dens nordlige flanke var beskyttet af admiral Halseys umådelig slagkraftige 3. flåde, som bestod af otte store hangarskibe og seks hurtige slagskibe.