Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales led the U.K. Carrier Strike Group (CSG) home at the weekend, marking the end of an eight-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific.
The aircraft carrier was welcomed back into Portsmouth by cheering crowds on Sunday as Operation Highmast came to a close.
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dauntless and Norway’s HNoMS Roald Amundsen frigate also sailed back into Portsmouth, while RN Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond returned to Plymouth.
The CSG’s aircraft are also home: F-35B Lightning jets were back at RAF Marham by Friday lunchtime, while the Merlin helicopters of 820 Naval Squadron flew back to Culdrose, and four Wildcats from 815 NAS to Yeovilton.
And after its maiden deployment 809 Naval Air Squadron returned to Norfolk alongside RAF sister Lightning squadron 617.
809 NAS Commander Nick Smith reflected: “I am incredibly proud of the Immortal Team who have done such a fantastic job in delivering everything asked of them throughout the year, but most importantly full operating capability of Carrier Strike.
“We have operated day and night, in fair weather and torrential downpours, from HMS Prince of Wales as well as the Japanese and Italian ships Kaga and Cavour.”
Tankers RFA Tidespring and latterly RFA Tideforce supported the deployment, along with Norway’s HNoMS Maud.
During the course of the deployment the CSG comprised warships and support vessels from ten other nations: Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the USA.
It operated alongside platforms from more than 30 countries and sailed more than 40,000 miles, equivalent to more than 1.5 times around the world to the western Indo-Pacific; more than half the mission was spent east of Suez. Its jets, helicopters, and drone/uncrewed aircraft have flown more than 2,500 sorties.
U.K. CSG Commander Commodore James Blackmore commented: “The Strike Group has come home stronger for NATO than it departed and I am incredibly proud of all those who have taken part in Operation Highmast.”
- You can read more details on the Royal Navy website