Thousands of service personnel, including a woman from Somerset, have been reunited with their families just in time for Christmas as the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales and its support vessels returned to their home ports. The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier and the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless sailed into Portsmouth Naval Base, greeted by jubilant families and friends.
This return marks the largest naval homecoming in two decades and was expedited due to strong winds forecasted for Monday. Alongside these ships, the frigate HMS Richmond, also part of the carrier strike group (CSG), has arrived in Plymouth, while the Norwegian vessel HNoMS Roald Amundsen has returned to its home port in Norway.
Fast jet and helicopter crews are also reuniting with their loved ones at RAF Marham, RNAS Culdrose, and RNAS Yeovilton.
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These ships have completed an extensive 40,000 nautical mile journey as part of Operation Highmast, conducting diplomatic visits and joint exercises across the Mediterranean, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Indo-Pacific region, including visits to Australia and Japan.
Over 2,500 military personnel participated in this eight-month deployment—2,100 Brits, along with 200 Norwegians, and similar numbers of Canadians and Spaniards—with numbers swelling to 4,500 during major exercises.
Lieutenant Simon Hall from near Yeovilton, Somerset, welcomed home his wife, Lieutenant Commander Phoebe Hall, alongside their five-year-old daughter, Ophelia. He shared, “Phoebe joined in Japan, so it’s been four months of solo daddying while managing the day job, but Ophelia has made it easier. Having her back for the special season is the icing on the cake.” Ophelia added, “It’s been hard,” but she looked forward to decorating for Christmas with her mother.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP praised the operation, saying, “The safe return of our carrier strike group marks the successful conclusion of one of the most significant UK deployments in years. Our servicemen and women have demonstrated the very best of Britain’s military by partnering with 12 allied nations over 40,000 miles, strengthening vital relationships and proving that Britain is open for business.”
He emphasized the deployment as a testament to the UK’s investment in its armed forces, economic growth, and global security leadership. “I’m immensely proud of everyone involved and glad they’ll now enjoy a well-earned rest reunited with their families,” he added.
Commodore James Blackmore, commander of the CSG, reflected on leading nearly 4,000 personnel on the extensive voyage, collaborating with over 30 countries. “Last week the Defence Secretary announced that the UK Carrier Strike Group reached full operational capability — a milestone earned through hard work on Operation Highmast and beyond. The strike group returns stronger for NATO, and I am incredibly proud of all who participated.”
The emotional reunions included Anne Aspin and her children, William, nine, and Jessica, 13, who traveled 350 miles from Manchester to welcome home Chief Petty Officer Chris Aspin. Anne shared, “We haven’t seen him for eight months — it’s been difficult.” William said, “I’m really looking forward to him being back,” while Jessica humorously noted, “I haven’t missed beard rash or him hogging the TV, but I’ve missed him a lot.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesman highlighted the mission’s broader impact, stating, “This global deployment has reinforced that Britain is open for business.” Trade with the Indo-Pacific region alone accounts for over £280 billion, nearly 20% of all UK trade. The carrier strike group also hosted major trade and investment summits in Singapore, Australia, and Japan, driving economic growth at home.