Carrier Strike Group returned home stronger than when it left, says commander
Carrier Strike Group 25, the UK's major naval deployment of the year, has drawn to a close as the ships, jets, helicopters – and people – returned home.
Families, friends and well-wishers gathered at air and naval bases from Cornwall to Norfolk to greet the personnel.
More than 2,000 sailors, soldiers, airmen and women, Royal Marines and civilians came back from their eight-month mission to the Indo-Pacific.
CSG25 dispersing to home ports and bases
The Carrier Strike Group was led by the Royal Navy's flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, who sailed into Portsmouth.
She was accompanied by two of her escorts, the destroyer HMS Dauntless and Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen, while a third escort, the frigate HMS Richmond, returned to Plymouth.
And while some of the aircraft on CSG25 were already back in the UK, the remainder variously returned to their respective air bases.
F-35B Lightning stealth fighters flew back to RAF Marham in Norfolk, Merlin helicopters parked up at RNAS Culdrose near Helston and RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, while Wildcat helicopters touched down at Yeovilton as well.
A privilege to lead
Tanker RFA Tideforce, who supported the final month of the deployment, is returning to Portland, while her sister ship RFA Tidespring, who provided fuel for the force through three-quarters of the Op Highmast mission, remains deployed.
The arrivals brought Operation Highmast to an end, a mission which took the force as far east as Japan and Australia.
CSG25 returns having been declared fully operational – and ready to assume Nato duties.
"It has been a privilege to lead the nearly 4,000 soldiers, sailors, aviators and marines who have sailed over 40,000 nautical miles as part of the Strike Group, working with over 30 nations en route," said Commodore James Blackmore, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group.
"Last week, the Defence Secretary [John Healey] announced that the UK Carrier Strike Group had reached full operating capability.
"That is a testament to the hard work both on Operation Highmast and of those who have served before us to reach this milestone.
"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."
One-and-a-half times round the world
Since leaving the UK in April, CSG25 has sailed more than 40,000 nautical miles – the equivalent of travelling one-and-a-half times around the world – with half the deployment spent east of Suez.
The jets, helicopters and uncrewed aircraft have flown more than 2,500 sorties in support of the deployment.
The aim was to demonstrate the UK's commitment to global security with its allies.
For more reports about Carrier Strike Group 25, click here.
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